Marvel At What Could've Happened

Chapter 6

Loki was jerked awake by more noise than any one should hear at three in the morning.  He listened carefully, and heard footsteps and shouting, loud enough to wake him up through the facility's thick walls.  He was only one level below the ground level.  He pulled himself out of bed and flipped on the light.  He pulled a shirt on so that he was at least fully dressed and ruffled his hand through his hair, still listening and trying to figure out what was going on. 

            He turned to directly face the tiny security camera in the corner; he had noticed it several days before and had consequently started changing clothes in his bathroom after realizing they could see everything he did.  Now he wanted them to see him more than ever, but judging by what he could hear, he was the last thing on anybody's mind.  He stared into the camera, hoping someone would see him.  If only even Jarvis would notify somebody.

***************

            "What do we do, Captain?" Tony asked.  He had already suited up; only his head was visible from the armor.

            "I- I don't know, let me think," Steve said tensely.  Everyone stood around him in the lab, ready to go, looking sleepless and somber.

            "Alright."  Steve looked around.  "We know why they're here.  There's no other reason for this.  We have to keep them from that.  This isn't a take-down-the-army type of fight; we're protecting our own land.  If they have to die for that to be accomplished, that's their decision.  We aren't fighting if we can help it."

            "Agreed," Natasha said.  "And we have a little bit of a head start, let's take advantage of it."

            "How are we looking over there, Banner?" Steve asked.

            "Scans are showing they're about twenty miles above the surface.  Lucky I had all this running, or they would have sneaked down here and it would have been a mess."

            "Okay, what's the game plan?" Clint asked, sounding impatient.  "Seriously.  Those twenty miles are going to go quickly."

            "Do we even know what they are?" Steve asked.

            "No.  All we're getting on the scans is their aircraft," Bruce replied.

            "You guys, he might know."  Clint glanced around at everyone.

            "No. No, no, no.  Not happening," Tony said.  "We'll be fine."

            "In the past, whatever we've all fought, it's never been aliens.  This is new." Steve said.  "I think I agree with Clint."  Their debate was interrupted by the intercom.

            "Mr. Stark, Loki is awake.  And Sir, he found the security camera.  I think he wants someone down there."

            Steve and Clint looked at each other.  Bruce avoided everyone's eyes.  Tony rolled his eyes and huffed.

            "Fine.  Cap, go find out what he wants.  Banner and I will keep an eye on all this," he motioned to the tech, "and we need to be ready in the next five or ten minutes, so make it quick."

***************

            Steve pressed his hand to the scanner and the door slid open, revealing Loki sitting on his bed, waiting.  The young god smirked.

            "Someone got my message," he said.

            "Jarvis told us.  What do you want?"

            "To know what's going on.  You all woke me up," Loki replied.  Steve looked annoyed.

            "Well, sorry to disturb your beauty sleep.  Turns out I need some help from you, so I'm glad you're up."