Merciful [A Loki Fanfiction]

The Red Room

Merciful

Chapter Ten: The Red Room

...

Last chapter

Then, without any conscious thought, I bent my face down, and our lips met.

You are nearly done. Return to S.H.I.E.L.D.; it's time for the finale.

"I believe Jaida Liao has been compromised."

...

Jaida

I pulled out my phone, answering it immediately. "Agent Liao. What's up, Director?"

Fury sighed. "I need you to come back. Agents are dropping like flies, and I have the feeling something big is happening. I've assembled the Avengers, and alerted the World Council. My plans are, as of now, null and void. We'll have to go about achieving them in a different way, but for now, we need you. Texas ground base."

"Alright," I agreed. "Anything I should know?"

"Barton and Romanoff think you've been compromised. Be careful, especially bringing Loki in."

"Oh, joy," I muttered. "Okay, uh, mind if we just teleport, or whatever, right into your office."

"Whatever you feel is necessary."

We both hung up, and I turned to Loki. "Alright. You get what you want. Fury wants us back."

...

Even though he should have been expecting it, Fury was on his feet, his pistol in our faces.

"Oh," he said. "It's you."

"Yes," I replied in the same tone. "It's us."

Fury glared at me, then glanced at Loki. "Is he reliable?"

"He doesn't have to be chained up all the time, and doesn't stab me in my sleep, if that's what you mean," I said.

"That'll have to do for now," Fury said grimly. "We've received a proclamation of war."

...

Loki

I was not surprised when Fury said that, but Jaida appeared to be.

"What?!" she exclaimed in surprise. "Who?"

Fury cleared his throat, seemingly nervous, a strange look on the normally emotionless spy. "See, luckily it isn't a worldwide proclamation, or even country specific. It's specifically for S.H.I.E.L.D. It's, ah, well, the Red Room."

Jaida stiffened visibly. "What?"

"The Red-"

"Yes, yes, she heard what you said," I interrupted, irritated with the slow motion. "I believe she is wondering how the Red Room still exists."

"Exactly," Jaida said, flashing me a grateful look. "I was there, it blew up. There was nothing left but the charred skeletons of my - of the others."

Fury sighed. "I don't know how, but they've declared war. Unless we give them you-"

"Okay."

"-and Natasha."

"Never mind." Jaida began pacing. "It's been ages, decades. They'll have perfected most of the programs by now. I'd expect - oohhh, the spy network, the Rodent program. Fury, seen anything small and crawly around lately? No? It would be hanging around someone who knew a lot, someone who knew about me... that leaves three people. Loki, any way to see if anyone's in here?"