Special Agent 2: The Dark Soldier

Chapter 50

The Milano exited through the last jump point and the world of Xandar, capital of the Nova Empire, filled the viewport. Loki watched as they approached the planet, Quill guiding his ship into the atmosphere.

The Kyln was a Nova-controlled prison, but Tekahionwake had stated the Nova Corp wouldn't just allow them to waltz into the prison to release the tracker. Apparently, the tracker was a high priority prisoner that had angered the Nova Corp after he had once used their own technology against them. Tekahionwake had been brief on the details on what, exactly, he had done.

"So we get the blueprints from the Nova Corp Headquarters, to better plan our infiltration," the sorcerer had told them. "Then we break my tracker out and begin hunting the Älfeneel."

"Approaching Xandar," Quill said, glancing back at the two Asgardians, three sorcerers, and one frost giantess. "I hope this works."

"It will," Tekahionwake said firmly, leaning on the console beside Quill as she gazed down at Xandar. "Have no doubt about that."

Quill guided the Milano down to the spaceport on the outskirts of the capital city, lowering the landing gear. Loki shrugged on an old Ravager's jacket from Quill's quarters, settling the leather trench coat on his shoulders. Thor had similarly exchanged his red cloak for another, shorter jacket, which helped to hide his Asgardian garb.

Hailstohm took Thor's cloak, fastening it around her neck as she wrinkled her nose. "Do you ever wash this?"

Thor looked offended. "Yes, of course I have it washed."

Hailstohm slid her eyes over to him skeptically. "The smell begs to differ."

Tekahionwake, Almarez, and Mordo remained in their Masters of the Mystic Arts tunics, which would be less recognizable than the Asgardian ones. Quill powered the engines down as they all assembled back in the cockpit to go over their plan, one last time.

"Almarez, Mordo, and I will infiltrate the Nova Corp Headquarters using our sling rings to create portals," Tekahionwake explained. "We will take Peter Quill along with us, to help us in stealing the Kyln schematics."

"What about us?" Loki asked.

"You, Thor, and Hailstohm will remain here, with the ship," Tekahionwake told them. "If you wish, you may do some recon in the city, listen in on galactic news, but keep a low profile and be back here in an hour. I do not think it will take us longer than that to obtain the schematics."

Without waiting for anyone to make a comment, Tekahionwake slipped her sling ring on, Mordo and Almarez copying her. The three sorcerers lifted their arms, making circling motions with one hand, and a blaze of orange light cut through the air in front of each of them. Mordo looked at Quill and nodded toward the portal, which was displaying the clean interior of the Nova Corp Headquarters, and the Ravager sighed before stepping through. The sorcerers followed suit and the portals closed, leaving the two Asgardians and the frost giantess alone.

"Well, we might as well go into the city," Thor stated. "Let's see what news we can pick up."

Loki, Thor, and Hailstohm walked down the ramp, Loki closing it behind them. He cast an illusion over Thor's hammer to hide it, and they strode into the city. Within minutes, they were in the center, moving along a raised walkway that overlooked a large plaza, a fountain cascading in the center. As Loki glanced down at it, he saw a large, tree-like humanoid, a Flora Colossus, playing in the fountain. He suddenly remembered Thor learning their language, back when they were children, and how they used three words to communicate a range of emotions and meanings.

"Thor," Loki said. "Look, a Flora Colossus."

Thor looked, his eyes widening slightly in interest. "It has been a long while since I have met one," he remarked.