Inside the Hive Base, Nolan Locke removed the sleek black helmet covering his head. The chaotic battlefield that had just surrounded him instantly faded away, replaced by the sterile calm of his command chamber.
He stood up, stretched his shoulders, and poured himself a cup of coffee. A faint smile touched his lips.
The results were better than he expected.
This was his latest prototype a virtual reality system derived from The Valley of Fear project. Unlike any ordinary simulation, it achieved almost zero latency projection, recreating combat conditions so vividly that the user could practically feel the explosions, the recoil, even the blood pumping in their veins.
For the upcoming war, there was no better training ground than the battlefield itself even if it existed only in data.
Today's simulation had been a test run. And the test had proven one thing his invention worked. Flawlessly.
With this technology, Nolan could now carry out combat strategies, weapon tests, and scenario projections simultaneously. It opened new doors doors that didn't need to be shared with anyone else.
Sipping his coffee, slightly bitter but grounding, Nolan walked to the massive glass window overlooking the dense forest surrounding the Hive Base.
The landscape was serene, almost idyllic. Yet beneath that calm, the base pulsed with life machines humming, data streams flashing, soldiers training like cogs in a massive, silent engine.
To the untrained eye, it looked peaceful. To Nolan, it represented something deeper security built upon controlled chaos.
Much like Earth itself.
A fragile planet balancing between danger and safety, peace and destruction.
For now, it still felt safe. For now.
While Nolan enjoyed his moment of calm, Tony Stark and Steve Rogers were escorting Loki back to the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier.
They weren't heading to Washington D.C., and for good reason. Director Nick Fury had already deemed the Triskelion too vulnerable. Ever since Loki had invaded Earth, the immobile HQ had become a prime target.
Fury might've been fearless, but he was no fool. Survival was his profession. The man who'd built S.H.I.E.L.D. knew that standing still was the surest way to die.
So, he took his operations airborne.
"Loki…" Tony muttered, staring at the Asgardian prince, his brows furrowed.
He couldn't shake Nolan's last words before he left.
Would Loki really be captured this easily?
Tony's pride whispered of course. He was Iron Man Earth's finest mind. Who cared if Loki was a so-called god? Humanity could outthink gods any day.
But Nolan's warning gnawed at him.
And then, without warning thunder split the sky.
A blinding flash. A deafening crack.
The next moment, a furious wind blasted across the deck. Tony blinked, and Loki was gone.
High above the clouds, Thor descended in a storm of lightning, gripping his wayward brother by the collar.
"Enough, Loki!" Thor thundered, face grim. "You've done enough damage!"
But before he could say more, a sudden blast hurled him backward.
Loki smirked at empty air. "Go on. I'm listening."
Of course, Thor wasn't. He was too busy being tackled mid-air by Tony Stark.
The two rolled across the forest clearing before slamming into the ground.
"Does your mother know you stole her cape?" Tony quipped, voice dripping with mockery.
It was a low blow and it hit its mark.
Thor's eyes blazed.
"No one insults me!" he roared.
Lightning surged around his hammer as he swung with earth-shaking fury.
Tony's eyes widened inside the helmet. "Oh, great. I pissed off a thunder god."
The bolt struck before he could even dodge.
"Power at 42% capacity," JARVIS reported calmly.
Tony blinked. "Wait, it charged me?"
Before he could enjoy the surprise upgrade, Thor came at him again, hammer raised high.
Tony barely managed to counter, energy beams clashing against divine lightning. Each strike felt like a mountain collapsing.
Despite his confidence, Tony realized something Thor was holding back.
Just as the two titans clashed again, a green blur landed between them.
"Enough," came the guttural growl.
The Hulk.
Tony froze mid-swing.
Thor looked the Hulk up and down, sensing the power coiled inside that massive frame. After a tense second, he lowered his hammer.
It wasn't the time for a brawl between allies.
By the time the dust settled, Loki had been recaptured this time by Steve Rogers himself, with Bruce Banner close behind.
Loki raised his bound hands with an exaggerated sigh. "You people are so dramatic."
"Save it," Steve said coldly, clamping the cuffs tighter. "Hulk, go help Tony."
The Hulk glared at Loki one last time, snorting like a bull before bounding away.
When the Avengers returned to the Helicarrier, Thor's expression was dark.
He didn't believe for a second that Loki had been caught so easily. His brother always had layers of deceit waiting to unfold.
Fury ordered, "Restrain the prisoner."
Then he glanced at Thor. "Any objections, your highness?"
Thor hesitated, then nodded. "Fine. But remember Loki is still a prince of Asgard. Earth has no authority to judge him."
Instantly, the tension in the room spiked.
"Are you kidding me?" Steve snapped. "Do you have any idea how much chaos this maniac caused down here?"
Before Thor could reply, a deep hum filled the air.
A sleek aircraft streaked past the Helicarrier and landed on the deck.
Everyone turned as a figure leapt down in a gleaming suit of armor silver and black, the emblem of Locke Industries glinting on the chest.
Nick Fury's frown deepened. "Dr. Locke. What are you doing here?"
Of all people, he despised dealing with Nolan Locke the most. The man was too smart, too composed and far too good at walking away from negotiations with the upper hand.
Nolan smiled politely. "What else? I came for Loki. I did help capture him, after all."
Then his gaze shifted to Thor, eyes bright with amusement. "Thor, my friend. Long time no see."
Thor blinked, caught off guard. They weren't exactly friends. The last time they'd met, Nolan had retreated mid-battle and Thor hadn't forgotten.
Still, he forced a small smile. "Indeed. It's been a while. How's Jane?"
Nolan shrugged casually. "She's doing well. You should visit sometime. I think she'd like that."
Thor's brows lifted slightly. So, Nolan actually knew how Jane was doing? Interesting.
After a few pleasantries, Nolan tilted his head. "Remember our last conversation? Have you thought about my offer?"
Thor stiffened. "I'm not interested in your deal."
"Pity," Nolan replied smoothly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
Fury frowned. "What deal?"
Nolan chuckled. "Just business. Expanding Locke Industries' weapons division."
The room went dead silent.
Tony's jaw dropped. Steve froze mid-step. Even Bruce looked up in disbelief.
Did he just say… selling weapons to aliens?
Thor's people Asgardians were extraterrestrial by definition.
Was Nolan Locke seriously trying to become an interstellar arms dealer?
Tony's mind reeled. "You do realize that makes you… what, a planetary traitor?"
Every pair of eyes turned toward Nolan.
He only laughed lightly and shrugged. "You think refusing to sell weapons will keep Earth safe? Asgard is the only alien civilization that's friendly with us. Without them, Earth would've been carved up by other galactic powers long ago. Or did you all forget that?"
His tone was calm, confident.
"As for the risk…"
He glanced at Thor, eyes sharp. "Odin wouldn't dare make a move against Earth."
Not wouldn't. Couldn't.
Because as long as the Ancient One watched over the Sanctums, no foreign god would risk Earth's wrath.
The others fell silent. Fury's expression soured, but even he couldn't deny Nolan's logic.
Loki chuckled softly from his restraints. "I like your style, human. When I rule this planet, perhaps you could serve as my Grand Chancellor."
Nolan turned his head, eyes half-lidded with contempt.
"Did I say anything," he asked lazily, "that had anything to do with you, you pathetic wannabe god?"
Loki's smile froze.
The deck went silent again then Tony snorted, trying not to laugh.
Nolan simply sipped his coffee, as calm as ever, the storm raging around him unnoticed.
And somewhere deep in the cosmos, the real storm was only beginning.
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