Till the End|MCU|3

nineteen

   "Okay, so the how works," Steve says, standing in front of a holographic screen showing the six Infinity Stones, the name Time Heist written over them.  Are we really calling it Time Heist?  "Now we gotta figure out the when and the where.  Almost everyone in this room has had an encounter with at least one of the six infinity stones."  

   "Or substitute the word 'encounter' for 'damn near have been killed' by one of the six infinity stones."  Tony corrects as he stands next to Steve, a coffee cup in hand.  

   I shift in my seat as I think to myself.  The only encounter I've had with a stone was with the Vision.  And the Tesseract in my vision.  But I don't think that counts.  

   "I haven't," Scott announces, drawing everyone's attention.  "I don't even know what the hell you're all talking about."  

   I roll my eyes and try not to facepalm.  

   "Regardless," Dr. Banner clarifies, circling the conference table.  "We only have enough Pym Particles for one round trip each and these stones have been in a lot of different places throughout history."  

   "Our history."  Tony corrects again.  "So, not a lot of convenient spots to just drop in."  

   "Which means we have to pick our targets."  Clint mumbles, leaning against the wall.  

   "That also means we have to be careful about what we do in these different time periods.  We don't know what effect we could make on their futures."  I add, placing my chin in my palm.  "We could create a whole new timeline, one completely different from our own."  

   "Correct on both parts," Tony says, pointing a finger at both me and Clint.  

   "So," Steve says, grabbing our attention again.  "Let's start with the Aether.  Thor, what do you know?"  

   I glance over my shoulder to where Thor sits in the back corner.  His sunglasses cover his eyes and in one hand is a beer can while the other is shoved in his pants.  He isn't moving.  

   "Is he asleep?"  Nat asks from beside me.  

   "No, no," Rhodey says.  "Pretty sure he's dead."  

   "So, who's going to check?"  I ask, glancing around at everyone.  

   "You're closest."  

   "Really?  For Bast's sake, grow up."  I grumble as I stand from my seat.  I step up next to Thor.  "He's still breathing," I mutter before lightly tapping him on his shoulder.  "Thor, time to wake up."  He still doesn't move.  I crouch down low to his ear and suck in a deep breath.  "Wake up!"  I shout, making him jump in his seat.  

   "I'm awake!"  Thor calls as Rocket snickers from behind me.  

   "Obviously," I mutter as I cross my arms.  "Now, do you wish to inform us about the Aether or..."  

   "No, no, Sigyn, I got this."  He slurs as he stands up.  

   "I'm not..." I try to argue but give up with a shake of my head, returning to my seat.  

   Taking one last sip of his beer, Thor makes his way to the front of the room.  "Uh, where to start?"  Thor hums drowsily, removing his sunglasses.  "Um, the Aether, first, is not a stone.  Someone called it a stone before..."  Thor trails off as he points to Steve, making him knit his eyebrow together.  "It's more of a... an angry sludge, sort of thing.  So..."  He bends back, dropping something into his golden eye.