Interlude Georges Batroc
Georges Batroc was sitting in a bar in Madripoor. Neon lights, loud music and dancing people and pouring alcohol. A veritable crime paradise. Georges waited for the next assignment. The entire Madripoor was buzzing with gossip. He was sipping his drink and thinking about it. Several scientists let the truth of their big mouths despite the ban. Well, money for their research will always come in handy. You can do anything for money. Georges knew it best. Money was everything in this world. He never had a family. He was an orphan until he was accepted into French intelligence. And then he learned about the power money gives. Of course, the information is too. When aliens fell from the sky it was a shock. Georges was never religious. He was also not interested in space. And yet, even criminals may have had moments of hesitation. Now, thanks to the information grid, Madripoor finally knew what was going on. The Nordic god demanded power over them. And he was responsible for the current atomic madness. Such a power. Just be able to control the atoms. The Shield and all the other intelligence agencies in the world must tremble with fear. Until his new client arrived. Georges hid his smile behind his glass of drink. Well, the head of DGSE himself. Things got more and more interesting.
"Oh, please, my boss tried a hole full of rats. What's the cause?" mocked Georges. His former boss Bastien Daquin sat next to him. He hardly changed at all. He still looked old and weary of a bureaucrat with a shiny red hair and glasses on his nose. He might look innocent, but Georges knew that this man can killed you for sixty ways and no one ever find out about your death.
"Always so eloquent, Batroc. How about disappearing from the list of wanted by all agencies in the world and get a payment of 50 million euros?" his ex-boss immediately suggested. Georges sipped his drink. He was already seeing a feeling desperate in his ex-boss. It will be interesting negotiations.
"Interesting. I would bargain for more. It's a ridiculous amount in terms of my abilities. But I'm curious what made you seek my help and you are in this place full of sin. Too dirty for your boorish soul," replied Georges Batroc.
"Desperation tells us to do this. Compared to the current threat, you are like barely dust," his ex-boss replied and ordered himself a drink.
“And yet you are asking for that dust for help?” Georges asked.
"This information is top secret, but I know Madripoor already knows it. Norse mythology has turned out to be true, and its god wants conquest. Plus, it has the power to control every atom on Earth! Our scientists are working to somehow remove this energy. All for nothing. They don't even know how to go about it. The Shield and the World Security Council still believe in these Avengers. We don't have that luxury. We want you to negotiate with Loki and take back something the Shield stole from Loki. Return it to him as a gesture of goodwill. His scepter. Here are the files needed for the task and all instructions, as well as the advance payment for you "his ex-boss said and handed him the black briefcase.
"You give up so quickly? And I said she deserves more," sneered Georges, examining the contents of the briefcase.
"You'll get it if you manage to get the job done. Our scientists are still working on atoms, but the results are hopeless," his former boss replied.
"You know, it would be enough to kill the source of the problem and the atoms would probably be back to normal," replied Georges, taking out a cigarette.
"It's easy to say. Loki survived the Hulk attack. According to our information, no one has ever managed to do it. Our bullets do not touch his body. I suspect that he would even survive an atomic bomb, since he controls atoms," his former boss replied.
"I heard about nuke that was fired in New York. There would be more damage from it than from an army of aliens," Georges said.
"Well, at least it would be some sort of historical justice. A rare thing in history. New York like Hiroshima and Nagasaki," his ex-boss replied.
"From what I remember from history, they didn't want to lose any more soldiers, that's why they decided to do it," replied Georges.
"The whole history of politics and war is bloody, sometimes there are no good solutions. Sometimes you have to choose between the bad ones," his ex-boss said.
"Like Vichy France?" Georges smirked. He himself had no qualms. He didn't care about history. Only money mattered. Only they meant something. Since he was an orphan, all he had to do was rely on himself. Money was the only thing that mattered. Nothing more. That's why he kept collecting them. Even when he was spending a considerable amount of money, it shuddered inside. Despite having a lot of money for all assignments, he was still afraid to spend money. He was afraid that they would end. He had to constantly work and constantly earn money to never be poor. He remembered the taste of poverty and promised himself that he would never feel it again.
"It's not nice to remember my blood, Batroc. I will not argue with you about the necessity of those actions. Let us leave history alone. We will come back to our case. Europe has no chance to fight Loki. The US can play it. They have the most resources and measures. We cannot bring about another world war. Let the US play with its super people. We have to be realistic. He will contact you when you get to the US, "his ex-boss said and walked away.
Georges smiled and finished another drink. He began reading his instructions. Maybe it was even good that he had been given such a mission. He was a mercenary and he got the most out of it, but it was always a dangerous game. Now he could get caught up in the favors of the new ruler. Unmatched wealth, influence, luxury. It would be life. Loki's armor alone must have been priceless! How much money could Georges get from Loki's court! You just have to get a scepter and introduce yourself nicely. Georges excelled at fighting and killing rather than diplomacy, but he could already feel the wealth that a job with Loki would give him. He took another drink. He had to plan this action well.
And with the right etiquette to greet the king.
Then a great idea occurred to him. If the Madripoor chiefs agreed, Georges would not only give Loki a scepter. He would have given him much more. And such a gift would be worth a great deal. Georges did not care about the world. Let Loki murder whoever he wants. As long as he pays him large sums of money, Georges won't care. Long live the new king! Long live Georges's new fortune!
"Vlad, let this news cover the entire Madripoor," Georges said as he handed the note to the bartender.
If others agree at the next poker meeting, it will be a historic event that children will learn about in schools.
The Act of Madripoor joining to King Loki.
The whole world will go crazy. Not only will Madripoor express his support for Loki, but he will also reveal him to the public. Batroc would not like to be in the shoes of those who would have to explain to the public why they hid him earlier.
Their new king will surely be kinder to them than the lousy governments and intelligence agencies that pursue him and many of Madripoor.
Batroc finished his drink and left. He had a job to do.