Feel Something

Chapter 12: There is Nothing Left of You Here

"Thank you for coming to see me, Mr. Cooper."

Loki looked up at the man across the desk from him in surprise at the use of his old alias, "Well, well, Agent Coulson. It would seem someone has been doing their research. How did you figure it out?"

"SHIELD has been monitoring threats against our country for longer than most would believe. We've always had fingerprints for D.B. Cooper, we just haven't been able to find a match until now. It turns out he was simply hiding off-planet."

Loki chuckled darkly, amused at the irony that his new employers were perhaps the only Migardians who could have ever connected him to the infamous plane jacking. At the time of his spontaneous heist, Thor had been growing anxious during a prolonged stretch of peace. Loki deliberately lost a bet in order to provide Thor with the entertainment he needed to stave off his more sanguine nature. Clever trickery such as this kept Thor at bay for a mere 40 years afterward. At least, until that same trickery ruined the beloved heir's coronation.

"What now, then, Coulson? Am I to be arrested for my crimes?" Loki asked dryly, cuffing his hands together mockingly. Loki assumed this would be their formal excuse for locking away the monstrous being they encountered yesterday in the gymnasium. Not that they need one.

Coulson simply smiled as he slid a thin folder across the desk to Loki. "Considering you look the same as you did 40 years ago, I believe that would involve more explanations than we care to provide at this time. Your skills are much more valuable to us on the field, Agent."

Opening the folder, Loki saw it contained Midgardian identification papers. A passport, driver's license, and everything else Loki would need to work and live on this planet, complete with his photograph and the name "Loki Daniel Cooper."

It was so absurd, Loki burst out laughing, "Well, Agent Coulson, perhaps you mortals do have a sense of humor after all." Were these mortals mad? How could they still trust him by any stretch now that they knew what he was? Perhaps it was their ignorance of the Jotnar that protected him. "Very well, so neither my crimes nor the truth of my form are enough for you to detain me. I'm beginning to wonder just what it would take for you to chain me up as you probably should."

Coulson shrugged, "Try taking over the city of New York and we'll revisit that conversation. Until then, I have your first mission brief-"

Coulson was interrupted by Director Fury himself bursting through the door, glaring at Loki with disdain.

"Ah, Director," Loki smiled demurely, "Come to tell Coulson you changed your mind and want the infamous thief-turned-blue-monster thrown overboard? I presume knowledge of my grand reveal is responsible for your prompt return."

Fury ignored Loki's words and got straight to the point, "You mind telling me why there's a big guy with a lightning hammer flying around Times Square shouting your name?"

Loki's eyes widened perceptibly before he could compose himself, "Ah. So you've met my brother."

Fury pressed his thumb and forefinger to his temple, closing his one good eye in frustration. "Well do you mind asking your brother to stop terrorizing the people of New York? It seems you're his target, and I'm assuming you're capable of reasoning with him?"

Loki grimaced. "Thor and I did not leave off on particularly good terms. It may be best if I stay out of this." You do not know what you are asking of me.

"Agent Cooper," interjected Coulson in his ever-serene way, "I do not believe the Director was making a request."

Loki stood and turned bodily to face the Director. "I assure you, getting me involved will only lead to more chaos." Please, do not make me confront him.