Special Agent 2: The Dark Soldier

Chapter 52

"How long do we have to wait for the damn guard change?" Rocket, the furry rabbit-like creature that had tried to capture Loki for the bounty on him, complained. He perched in the copilot's seat, arms crossed as he stared out the viewport. "I'm getting tired of not shooting something. I mean, I could always shoot one of your morons, I guess."

"Just a little bit longer," Loki said, glancing down at Rocket. Quill, Tekahionwake, Rocket, and Loki were all watching the Kyln from the cockpit, while the others waited down in the hold. They were getting close to mission time. "And if you're going to shoot someone on this ship, shoot Quill."

"You shoot me, you get nowhere," Quill asserted, scowling at Loki. "I'm the captain."

Loki lifted an eyebrow at him. "I could pilot this mediocre vessel in my sleep, mortal."

Rocket narrowed his eyes up at Loki. "Loki, huh? Why does that name ring a bell?"

"You were pursuing a bounty on my head?" Loki asked, lifting an eyebrow.

"No, that's not it," Rocket said, standing up on the seat. Even then, Loki still towered over him. "I've heard your name somewhere else, before the whole bounty business. I just can't put my finger on where."

"Almost time," Tekahionwake murmured. "Get up here!" she called out to the others. "Almaraz, Hailstohm, Loki, you're with me. Thor and Mordo, you will stay with the ship along with Quill and, uh, Groot. Keep an eye on the monitors and alert us if any ships enter the system."

Gamora strode into the cockpit, her arms crossed. "I'm going as well."

Tekahionwake narrowed her eyes at the Zehoberei woman. "I have already chosen my team, and I wish to keep it to four beings for secrecy."

"You are seeking to break out the tracker known only as Tidal, correct?" Gamora questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes," Tekahionwake said slowly.

"Tidal is the only being who is able to track energy signatures such as those belonging to the Infinity Stones," Gamora said. "His services were long sought after by my father, but Tidal...he doesn't seek the Stones like most do. He searches them for the thrill of it, and then he leaves them where they are, and then goes in quest of something else. The only reason he's in the Kyln is because it's the one place Thanos can't get him. He made sure of that."

Loki narrowed his eyes. He knew the name Tidal, from his own days working with Thanos. The tracker had a mysterious reputation, someone who didn't crave the power from the artifacts but craved the power from being able to find them. And he had enough power of his own to keep Thanos warily respectful of him.

"You're sure he'll track the Power Stone for us?" he asked Tekahionwake.

"Yes," the sorcerer replied. "We have no other option, do we?"

"You don't sound sure," Gamora said. "I am coming. I know how to appeal to Tidal, what will sway him. And it has to come from me; he'll know I am the daughter of Thanos, he'll know I do not lie."

"And I'm coming," Rocket declared, jumping off the copilot seat. "You'll need an escape expert if you want to break this tracker out."

"No, thank you, Rocky Raccoon," Tekahionwake told him, a slight smile quirking the corner of her lips. "I have it all under control."

Rocket frowned. "It's Rocket, and don't call me a raccoon!"

Meanwhile, Quill had straightened in his chair. "Beatles!" he sang out, pointing at the sorcerer. "Off of the White Album."

"Yes," Tekahionwake said, grinning at him. "I couldn't resist."

"I'm still coming," Rocket insisted. "You're dooming yourselves if you leave me behind."