Marcus's precognition showed him the trajectory of the neutralizer beam a fraction of a second before it fired. He redirected his failing shield, focusing all remaining energy into intercepting the gamma weapon's discharge. Purple energy met the neutralizer's pulse in a brilliant flash that sent shockwaves rippling through the street.
The impact threw Marcus backward ten feet. He hit the ground hard, his shield shattering completely as his energy reserves bottomed out. Through blurred vision, he saw the Hulk complete his transformation, apparently unaffected by the weapon that should have disabled him. Marcus's desperate interception had worked, but the cost left him barely conscious on the debris-strewn pavement.
The Hulk roared, a sound that shook windows and sent civilians fleeing in terror. He was massive, easily eight feet tall and weighing what had to be over a thousand pounds of pure muscle. His green skin rippled with barely contained power, and his eyes blazed with rage that seemed beyond rational thought.
"Fall back!" the assault team leader shouted, recognizing immediately that their neutralizer had failed. "Deploy containment protocols! Do not let the target escape the perimeter!"
Soldiers scattered to predetermined positions, establishing a tactical formation designed to corral the Hulk while heavier weapons were brought to bear. But they had fundamentally misunderstood what they were dealing with. This was not a creature that could be contained through conventional military tactics.
The Hulk grabbed a nearby vehicle, a compact car that probably weighed close to three thousand pounds, and hurled it at the assault team with casual ease. Soldiers dove aside as the car crashed through their formation, crushing equipment and forcing them to break their tactical positioning. The Hulk followed up immediately, covering the distance to the nearest soldier in two massive strides.
Coulson had taken cover behind a concrete barrier, his weapon drawn but clearly understanding that his pistol would be useless against the Hulk. He was speaking urgently into his comm unit, calling for backup and evacuation support for the civilians still trapped in the area. His eyes tracked between the Hulk's rampage and Marcus's prone form, calculating odds and options.
Marcus forced himself to his hands and knees despite the exhaustion that threatened to drag him back into unconsciousness. He could feel his powers trying to regenerate, energy slowly trickling back into depleted reserves, but the process was far too slow. He would not have enough power to intervene again for several minutes at minimum, and by then the situation could escalate beyond recovery.
The Hulk smashed through the assault team's formation like they were paper targets. He moved with surprising speed for something so massive, his combat instincts apparent even in his transformed state. When soldiers fired their automatic weapons, he shielded his face with his arms and charged directly into the gunfire. Bullets sparked off his skin, leaving marks but causing no real damage.
One soldier made the mistake of aiming a rocket launcher at the Hulk's center mass. The weapon fired with a distinctive whoosh, and the rocket-propelled grenade streaked toward its target. The Hulk caught the projectile mid-flight with one massive hand and crushed it, causing a detonation that would have obliterated a normal person. The explosion merely singed the Hulk's hand, and his roar of anger suggested the attack had only increased his rage rather than harmed him.
"Doctor Banner!" Coulson called out, his voice carrying surprising authority despite the chaos. "We are not your enemy! These soldiers work for General Ross, not for SHIELD! Let us help you stop them!"
The Hulk's blazing eyes fixed on Coulson for a moment, and Marcus saw something that gave him hope, recognition. The monster recognized Coulson's voice, remembered the conversation from just moments ago. Banner's consciousness was indeed present during transformation, aware and potentially responsive to reason.
But recognition did not mean trust, and the Hulk's rage was too powerful to overcome through simple words. He turned away from Coulson and focused on the remaining soldiers, who were desperately trying to regroup and deploy their heavy weapons before the creature could reach them.
Marcus pulled himself to his feet using a damaged street sign for support. His legs trembled with exhaustion, and his vision swam alarmingly, but he forced himself to remain standing. He had to do something, had to find a way to prevent this situation from becoming a massacre that would cement Banner's reputation as an uncontrollable monster.
"Coulson," Marcus called out, his voice rough. "We need to give him a target that is not these soldiers. If he kills them, Ross will never stop hunting him, and Banner will never be able to accept any offer we make. We need to redirect his anger."
"Redirect it where? We are in the middle of a crowded city with limited options and no backup for at least ten minutes."
"Redirect it at me. I can take hits better than normal people, and my abilities might regenerate faster under direct threat. If I can engage him in a way that feels like combat but is not actually trying to hurt him, maybe his rage will focus on me instead of the soldiers."
Coulson looked at Marcus like he had lost his mind. "You can barely stand. The Hulk will kill you in seconds."
"Maybe. Or maybe Banner's consciousness will recognize that I am trying to help rather than hurt, and the Hulk will pull his punches. It is the best option we have unless you want to watch him tear through these soldiers and then rampage through the city causing civilian casualties."
Before Coulson could respond, the Hulk grabbed one of the assault vehicles and lifted it over his head. Soldiers inside scrambled to escape before the massive creature used their own transport as a weapon against them. The Hulk hurled the vehicle at a building, and Marcus's precognition showed him the trajectory, if that vehicle hit where it was aimed, it would crash through a residential structure and potentially kill dozens of civilians.
Marcus acted on pure instinct. He channeled what little energy he had regenerated into a focused burst, not creating a shield but instead projecting pure kinetic force. The purple energy struck the airborne vehicle from the side, altering its trajectory just enough to send it crashing into an empty parking area instead of the occupied building.
The Hulk noticed immediately. His head swiveled toward Marcus, those burning eyes locking onto the source of the energy that had interfered with his attack. For a moment, the creature seemed to assess this new factor, determining whether Marcus represented a threat or merely an annoyance.
Then the Hulk charged.
Marcus had perhaps two seconds to prepare before a thousand pounds of angry green muscle crossed the distance between them. He threw up the best shield he could manage with his minimal reserves, a thin, flickering barrier of purple energy that looked more like a soap bubble than a defensive fortification.
The Hulk's fist struck the shield and shattered it instantly. The residual force caught Marcus in the chest and sent him flying backward into a brick wall. He hit hard enough to crack the bricks and drove the air from his lungs in an explosive gasp. Pain exploded across his back and ribs, and for a moment Marcus wondered if he had fundamentally miscalculated and was about to die.
But the Hulk had not hit him with full force. Marcus's enhanced awareness recognized that fact even through the pain, the creature had held back, pulling the punch at the last instant. Banner's consciousness was indeed present and aware, tempering the monster's strength even in the midst of rage.
Marcus slid down the wall and collapsed to the street, gasping for air and trying to ignore the screaming protest from his ribs. The Hulk approached slowly, each footstep making the ground tremble. Marcus forced himself to look up, to meet those burning green eyes with as much courage as he could muster.
"Banner," Marcus said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I know you can hear me. I know you are in there, aware and in control more than people think. These soldiers came for you, but we did not bring them. We came to offer you a job, a chance to use your abilities for good instead of constantly running. Please do not let Ross force you into becoming the monster he wants you to be."
The Hulk stopped, standing over Marcus with one massive fist raised. For a long moment, nothing happened. The creature seemed frozen in indecision, rage warring with whatever remained of Banner's rational mind. Marcus could see the internal struggle playing out in those inhuman eyes, the desire to smash and destroy versus the scientist's ethics and self-control.
Then the Hulk lowered his fist. He turned away from Marcus and focused his attention back on the assault team, who were using this momentary distraction to deploy what looked like electrified containment nets. The creature roared again, but this time there was something different in the sound, not mindless rage but focused anger directed at specific targets who had threatened him.
The Hulk moved through the assault team like a force of nature, but Marcus noticed he was being surprisingly careful about civilian casualties. When his attacks sent debris flying, he positioned himself to shield nearby buildings. When soldiers fell injured, he stepped over them rather than crushing them. This was not a mindless rampage, this was controlled destruction aimed at neutralizing threats while minimizing collateral damage.
Coulson reached Marcus and helped him sit up, his expression showing a mixture of concern and professional assessment. "That was either the bravest or stupidest thing I have ever seen an agent do. Are you injured seriously?"
"Ribs are probably cracked, and I am going to have bruises in places I did not know could bruise. But I will live. More importantly, Banner pulled that punch. The Hulk recognized I was not trying to hurt him, and he held back. That proves he can control the transformation enough to distinguish friend from foe."
"Which makes him viable for the Avengers Initiative, assuming we can convince him to trust us after this disaster." Coulson helped Marcus to his feet, supporting most of his weight. "But right now we need to extract ourselves and Banner before Ross sends additional forces. The assault team is neutralized, but their backup will arrive soon, and I do not want to be here when they do."
The Hulk had finished dismantling the assault team's equipment and scattering their forces. Soldiers retreated in disorder, dragging wounded comrades and abandoning their heavy weapons. The creature stood in the middle of the destroyed street, breathing heavily, his massive chest rising and falling like a bellows. His rage was subsiding, Marcus could see it in his posture and the way his eyes were beginning to show less fire and more awareness.
"Doctor Banner," Coulson called out, his voice calm and steady. "We need to leave this area immediately. More soldiers will come, and next time they will bring weapons even we cannot stop. Let us get you somewhere safe where you can transform back and we can discuss this situation properly."
The Hulk turned to look at Coulson, and Marcus saw recognition flash across the creature's face. Banner was definitely present, definitely hearing and understanding. The Hulk nodded once, a distinctly human gesture that looked strange coming from the massive green figure, and gestured for them to lead the way.
Coulson and Marcus moved toward an alley that would provide cover from aerial surveillance, with the Hulk following at a distance that suggested he was still not entirely convinced they were trustworthy. They navigated through back streets and service corridors, avoiding main roads where Ross's backup forces would be converging on the assault site.
After several blocks, the Hulk's breathing changed. His massive frame began to shrink, muscles reducing in size, green skin fading back to normal human coloration. The transformation reversed itself over the course of approximately thirty seconds, leaving Bruce Banner standing naked and vulnerable in the alley, his body covered in sweat and trembling from the aftereffects of the change.
Coulson immediately removed his jacket and offered it to Banner, who accepted it gratefully and wrapped it around himself for basic modesty. The scientist looked exhausted and emotionally drained, his eyes showing the weight of everything that had just happened.
"I am sorry," Banner said, his voice hoarse. "I tried to maintain control, tried to prevent the transformation, but when they started shooting at civilians I could not hold back anymore. The Hulk came out, and all I could do was try to guide his actions toward minimizing casualties."
"You did well," Marcus said, wincing as his cracked ribs protested the movement of speaking. "You protected civilians, you avoided killing those soldiers despite them trying to kill you, and you recognized when we were trying to help rather than hurt. That demonstrates far more control than General Ross gives you credit for."
"Ross does not care about control. He cares about having a weapon he can point at his enemies. He has been chasing me for years, and he will never stop until either I am in his custody or I am dead." Banner's expression was bleak. "I should never have allowed myself to hope that things could be different. Everywhere I go, destruction follows. It would be better if I just disappeared completely, went somewhere so remote that no one could find me."
"Or you could accept our offer," Coulson said gently. "SHIELD can provide protection from General Ross and his military forces. We have resources and authority that can keep you safe while you work on developing better control over the Hulk. Director Fury is prepared to give you state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, security, and the freedom to pursue your own research. All he asks in return is occasional consultation on scientific problems and potential assistance with threats that normal people cannot handle."
"Why would SHIELD protect me from the military? You are both government agencies. Ross could simply make calls to the right people and have your protection withdrawn."
"Because Director Fury answers to different authority than General Ross, and because Fury believes the Hulk represents too valuable an asset to waste through Ross's ham-fisted attempts at weaponization. More importantly, Fury sees you as a person first and a potential resource second. That is a fundamental difference in approach that matters."
Banner looked between Coulson and Marcus, clearly trying to assess whether this was genuine or an elaborate manipulation. His eyes lingered on Marcus's obvious injuries, the way he was holding his ribs, the exhaustion that was still evident in his posture.
"You threw yourself between me and that weapon," Banner said to Marcus. "You intercepted the neutralizer beam even though it could have killed you. Why would you do that for someone you just met?"
"Because I understand what it feels like to have power inside you that could hurt people if you lost control for even a moment. Because I believe everyone deserves a chance to be seen as a person rather than just a weapon. And because I think you could do tremendous good if given the right support and resources. Those seemed like sufficient reasons to take the risk."
Banner was silent for a long moment, processing this. Then he nodded slowly. "All right. I will meet with your Director Fury and hear what he has to propose. But I want to be very clear, if at any point this feels like a trap or an attempt to control me, I will leave. The Hulk and I have gotten very good at disappearing when necessary."
"That is fair," Coulson agreed. "Director Fury would not expect anything less from someone in your situation. Now, we need to get you out of India before Ross's backup forces lock down the city. SHIELD has a transport waiting at a secure location. If you are willing, we can have you out of the country within the hour."
They made their way to the extraction point, a nondescript warehouse on the outskirts of Kolkata where a SHIELD aircraft waited with engines already running. The crew helped Marcus aboard and provided basic medical attention for his injuries while Coulson coordinated with the pilot for immediate departure.
Banner sat in the corner of the cargo area, still wrapped in Coulson's jacket, watching everything with wary intelligence. He had agreed to come, but trust was clearly a long way off. Marcus understood that completely, Banner had been betrayed and hunted for too long to easily accept that anyone's intentions were genuinely benign.
The aircraft lifted off and headed toward international airspace, leaving India behind as they flew toward a destination that Coulson had not yet specified. Marcus used the time to focus on his healing abilities, channeling what little energy he had regenerated toward accelerating the repair of his cracked ribs. The process was slow and exhausting, but he could feel bones beginning to knit and tissue starting to heal.
"You are doing something," Banner observed, his scientific mind immediately recognizing that Marcus's condition was improving faster than natural healing should allow. "Your injuries are healing at an accelerated rate. That is part of your abilities? Energy manipulation extends to biological processes?"
"Apparently. I am still learning what I can do and how to control it effectively. The healing is new, it only started manifesting recently, and I do not understand the mechanisms behind it yet."
"Fascinating. The energy you displayed earlier had unusual properties, it interacted with the gamma radiation in ways that should not have been possible according to conventional physics. When you intercepted the neutralizer beam, you essentially created an interference pattern that canceled out the weapon's frequency. That requires incredibly precise control over energy at the quantum level."
"I was operating on instinct more than conscious control. I saw the beam coming, knew it would hurt you during transformation, and reacted without really thinking about the mechanics."
Banner's expression showed genuine interest for the first time since his transformation. "Instinctive quantum manipulation. That suggests your abilities are at least partially biological rather than purely conscious control. Your nervous system must have adapted to process energy information at speeds that bypass normal cognitive function. I would love to study the mechanisms if you would be willing to participate in some non-invasive testing."
"That is exactly the kind of offer Director Fury is prepared to extend to you as well," Coulson interjected. "SHIELD has the best scientific facilities in the world, and we encourage our enhanced personnel to pursue research into their own abilities. If you join us, you and Agent Reid could potentially collaborate on understanding how enhanced abilities function at a biological level. That research might help both of you develop better control."
Banner considered this, his scientific curiosity clearly engaged despite his lingering wariness. "Where are we going exactly? You said we are meeting Director Fury, but you have not specified the location."
"A SHIELD facility in the Atlantic Ocean. It is mobile, secure, and outside the jurisdiction of any single government. Director Fury uses it for sensitive meetings where privacy and security are paramount. You will be safe there, and you can leave at any time if you choose to do so."
The flight lasted several more hours, during which Banner gradually relaxed enough to engage in technical conversations about quantum mechanics and energy manipulation. Marcus found himself genuinely enjoying the discussion despite his injuries, Banner's intellect was extraordinary, and his ability to theorize about Marcus's abilities based on limited observation was impressive.
They eventually arrived at what Marcus recognized immediately, the Helicarrier, SHIELD's flying aircraft carrier and mobile headquarters. The massive vessel floated above the Atlantic Ocean, its turbines keeping it airborne with power that seemed impossible for something so large. As their aircraft approached for landing, Marcus could see personnel moving across the flight deck and aircraft being serviced in preparation for deployment.
Banner's eyes widened as he took in the Helicarrier's scale and obvious capabilities. "This is remarkable. The engineering required to keep something this massive airborne is beyond anything I thought current technology could achieve. How did SHIELD develop this?"
"Alien technology recovered during various incidents, combined with cutting-edge human engineering," Coulson explained. "Director Fury believes in being prepared for threats that conventional military assets cannot handle. The Helicarrier represents SHIELD's commitment to staying ahead of potential dangers."
They landed smoothly, and medical personnel were waiting to take Marcus to the infirmary for proper treatment of his injuries. Coulson escorted Banner toward the command center where Fury was apparently waiting to meet him. As Marcus was being helped toward medical, he heard Coulson explaining the Avengers Initiative concept to Banner in more detail.
The infirmary was state-of-the-art, with medical equipment that represented the pinnacle of current technology. Doctor Chen was present, having apparently been flown in specifically to oversee Marcus's treatment. The doctor's expression showed both concern and professional curiosity as he examined the injuries Marcus had sustained.
"Three cracked ribs, extensive bruising across your back and chest, and signs of severe energy depletion," Doctor Chen diagnosed after running scans. "You are incredibly fortunate that the Hulk pulled his punch. If he had struck with full force, you would have been killed instantly. As it is, you will need at least a week of rest before returning to field operations."
"We do not have a week. There are too many situations developing that require attention."
"Then those situations will have to be handled by other personnel, because you are in no condition for field work. Your healing abilities are accelerating your recovery, but even with that advantage you need time for proper healing. Director Fury has already authorized medical leave for you."
Marcus accepted this with reluctant grace, understanding that pushing his body beyond its limits would only cause more problems in the long term. He allowed the medical staff to properly treat his injuries and set him up in a recovery room where he could rest.
He woke several hours later to find Nick Fury standing beside his bed, the Director's single eye studying him with that penetrating assessment that seemed to see through all deception.
"Agent Reid. Doctor Chen tells me you will make a full recovery, though you gave the medical staff some concerns with your reckless behavior in India. Throwing yourself in front of the Hulk is not standard recruitment protocol."
"It seemed necessary at the time, sir. Banner needed to understand that we were different from the people who have been hunting him, and sometimes actions communicate more effectively than words."
"True. And your actions did convince Banner to come aboard and meet with me. We had a productive conversation about the Avengers Initiative, and he has agreed to join on a provisional basis. He will work in our research facilities, develop better control over the Hulk, and be available for consultation on threats that require his unique capabilities. That is a significant win for SHIELD, and you played a crucial role in achieving it."
"What about General Ross, sir? He is not going to stop hunting Banner just because SHIELD claims jurisdiction."
"General Ross is going to discover that his authority does not extend to SHIELD operations, and that any attempts to interfere with our personnel will be met with considerable resistance. I have already had conversations with people who outrank Ross significantly, making it very clear that Banner is now under SHIELD protection. Ross can complain, but he cannot act without risking his own career."
Fury pulled up a chair and sat down, his expression becoming more serious. "We need to talk about your abilities and your role going forward. You have demonstrated capabilities that put you in a very select category, people who can stand against supernatural and superhuman threats. The Destroyer, the Hulk, energy shields that can block weapons designed to kill gods. You are becoming one of SHIELD's most valuable assets, Agent Reid."
"Sir, I am still learning to control these abilities. I nearly died holding back the Destroyer, and the Hulk could have killed me if Banner had not maintained some level of control during transformation. I am not ready to be considered a frontline asset against major threats."
"Which is why you will receive training and support to develop your abilities further. I am assigning you to work with Agent Romanoff on combat applications of your powers. She has experience training enhanced individuals, and she can help you understand how to use your abilities more efficiently in tactical situations. You will also continue working with Doctor Chen and Doctor Banner on understanding the biological mechanisms behind your powers."
"And what about the investigation into HYDRA's infiltration? Agent Hill has been building a case, but we still do not have sufficient evidence to take action."
Fury's expression hardened slightly. "The infiltration investigation continues, but it needs to proceed carefully. If we move too quickly or too obviously, we will alert the conspirators and they will either go deeper underground or trigger whatever plans they have been developing. Right now, we are gathering intelligence and building a comprehensive picture of the conspiracy. When we are ready to act, we will dismantle their entire network in a single coordinated operation."
"Sir, what if they trigger their plans before we are ready? What if waiting gives them time to implement something we cannot stop?"
"That is a calculated risk I am willing to take, because acting prematurely would be worse. If we arrest a few low-level operatives without understanding the full scope of the conspiracy, the leadership will simply replace them and continue operating. We need to identify everyone involved, from the lowest-level agents to the highest-ranking conspirators, before we make our move. That takes time, but it is the only way to ensure we actually solve the problem rather than just treating symptoms."
Marcus understood the logic, but it frustrated him to know that HYDRA was operating freely within SHIELD while they gathered evidence. Every day that passed was another day that the conspiracy could recruit new members, compromise new operations, and advance their plans.
"In the meantime," Fury continued, "you focus on recovering and developing your abilities. The threats we are facing are escalating, Agent Reid. Aliens, gods, monsters, and human conspirators who want to tear down everything SHIELD stands for. We need people like you ready to stand against those threats when they emerge. Are you prepared for that responsibility?"
"Yes, sir. I am prepared to do whatever is necessary to protect people from threats they cannot handle themselves."
"Good. That is what I needed to hear." Fury stood, preparing to leave. "Rest, recover, and be ready for your next assignment. We have a lot of work ahead of us, and I need you at full capacity when the real battles begin."
After Fury left, Marcus lay back and stared at the ceiling, his mind working through everything that had happened. He had successfully recruited Banner for the Avengers Initiative, established a working relationship with one of the people who would be crucial for defending Earth against Thanos. He had demonstrated his abilities openly, gained Fury's trust, and positioned himself to influence events going forward.
But he had also revealed more about his capabilities than he had intended, drawn attention from people who were very good at analyzing anomalies and identifying secrets. The careful balance he had been trying to maintain between useful and suspicious was becoming increasingly difficult to manage.
The door to his recovery room opened, and Maria Hill entered carrying a tablet and a coffee from the Helicarrier's cafeteria. She set the coffee on his bedside table and pulled up a chair, her expression showing a mixture of concern and professional assessment.
"I heard about India. Coulson sent me the full report including security footage of you intercepting the gamma neutralizer and then deliberately engaging the Hulk in combat. That was either brilliant or insane, and I have not decided which yet."
"Probably both. It achieved the objective though, Banner is on board with the Avengers Initiative and trusts that SHIELD's intentions are different from General Ross's."
"At the cost of nearly getting yourself killed. Again. This is becoming a pattern with you, Reid. You throw yourself into dangerous situations without adequate backup or planning, relying on your abilities to get you through. Eventually your luck is going to run out, and your abilities will not be enough."
"I know. But sometimes the immediate threat requires immediate action, and waiting for perfect conditions means people die. I would rather take risks and save lives than play it safe and watch preventable tragedies unfold."
Hill was silent for a moment, studying him with those penetrating dark eyes. "You talk like you know tragedies are coming, like you can see threats before they manifest. That is more than just good analytical skills or enhanced situational awareness. How do you know what is coming, Reid? What are you not telling us about your abilities or your knowledge?"
Marcus felt his heart rate spike despite his best efforts to remain calm. Hill was too perceptive, too skilled at reading people. She had noticed the pattern that others missed, his consistent ability to anticipate threats and position himself where he would be most effective.
"I look for patterns in available intelligence, assess probability of various threat scenarios, and position myself to respond effectively. It is strategic thinking combined with enhanced awareness, not precognition."
"Maybe. Or maybe you have abilities you still have not revealed completely, capabilities that go beyond energy manipulation and healing. I am not going to push you on this now, but I want you to understand something, the more you hide, the harder it becomes to trust you completely. And trust is essential for the kind of work we are going to be doing together."
Before Marcus could respond, alarms suddenly blared throughout the Helicarrier. Red emergency lights began flashing, and Fury's voice came over the ship-wide intercom system.
"All personnel to battle stations. We have detected an unidentified object entering Earth's atmosphere at high velocity. Trajectory suggests it will impact in approximately eight minutes. Location: New Mexico desert, near the previous Asgardian artifact site. All available agents report for deployment immediately."
Marcus and Hill exchanged glances, both of them immediately understanding the implications. Something else from Asgard was arriving, and given the recent destruction of the Bifrost, that suggested whoever was coming had found an alternative method of reaching Earth.
"Can you move?" Hill asked, already helping Marcus sit up despite his protests about medical restrictions.
"I can move well enough. If something from Asgard is arriving, we need to be there to assess whether it represents a threat or an opportunity."
They made their way to the briefing room where Fury was already coordinating response efforts on multiple screens. Coulson stood beside him reviewing satellite data, and Doctor Banner was present looking uncertain about whether he should be involved in military operations.
"What do we know?" Hill asked as they entered.
"The object is roughly spherical, approximately fifteen feet in diameter, and is decelerating as it approaches the surface," Coulson reported. "Energy signatures are consistent with what we detected during Thor's departure via the Bifrost, but the power levels are much lower. Whatever this is, it is not a full Bifrost activation."
"Could be an escape pod," Marcus suggested, his analytical mind working through possibilities. "If someone wanted to leave Asgard after the Bifrost was destroyed, they might use residual energy to launch a smaller vessel toward Earth. The question is who would have the resources and motivation to do that."
"And whether they are friend or foe," Fury added grimly. "Coulson, take a team to the impact site. Agent Reid, you are going despite your medical condition because you have experience with Asgardians and your abilities might be needed. Agent Hill, you are going as tactical commander. Doctor Banner, you stay here unless the situation requires Hulk-level intervention. Move out immediately."
They boarded a Quinjet and launched from the Helicarrier within minutes, the advanced aircraft streaking toward New Mexico at speeds that would have been impossible for conventional aircraft. Marcus used the flight time to review what he knew about Asgardian technology and potential threats that might arrive from that realm.
The object was already visible as they approached, a glowing sphere descending through the clouds with controlled deceleration that suggested active guidance systems. It touched down in the desert exactly where Mjolnir had been located, as if deliberately choosing that spot for symbolic or practical reasons.
The Quinjet landed a safe distance away, and the team deployed with weapons ready and sensors active. The sphere sat in the center of a new impact crater, its surface still glowing with residual heat and energy. As they watched, the sphere began to open like a mechanical flower, petals of advanced metal folding back to reveal the interior.
A figure stumbled out, falling to one knee in the sand. Long blonde hair obscured the person's face, and they wore tattered Asgardian clothing that suggested they had been through significant trauma. When they looked up, Marcus felt his stomach drop.
It was Loki.
The God of Mischief had come to Earth.