Respawn, Restart
Chapter 23: Respawn, Restart
Jane was looking at Thor like he just admitted that he had bought the whole of New York City in cash. They were walking along the campus garden when he told her partially about their plan. Jane dropped her books and bag in shock.
“I know, I know. It may sound absurd but you have to trust me in this. You trust me, right?” Thor stood in front of her, trying to appease her.
“All this time I thought he was just visiting Earth and now you tell me all of you are working for him all along?” Jane pressed a little too loudly. Thor raised a finger to his lips to shush her. “It is absurd.” She pulled her bag from the ground and Thor picked up her books.
“No one’s working for him. We are working together. There’s a difference.” Jane huffed in reply. “But you trust me, right?” She eyed him suspiciously. “I’ll be there the whole time.” He held her arm and gave her a toothless smile.
“What did Natasha think of this?” Jane asked as they went on their way. “This is way beyond crazy, Thor. Beyond borderline manic.”
“Aaaah, there was quite a debate when we showed up in the tower.” Thor chuckled. Jane muttered an ‘of course’. “But things are going pretty well so far.”
Jane furrowed her brows even more. “I really don’t know what to think about this whole thing, Thor. I’m nervous.”
“Calm down, I haven’t even told you everything. That’s why Tony wanted you to be there tonight.”
“We’re talking about this tonight? Over dinner?” He nodded. She adjusted the bag strap on her shoulder. “I...I don’t even have a team. It’s just me and Darcy now. And I don’t want to drag Erik into this, especially when it involves Loki.”
“Come on.” Thor stopped walking. Jane turned to him. “Loki saved your life. Won’t you give him a chance?”
Jane shuddered as she remembered the battle off-Earth and being face-to-face with Malekith. She looked at Thor and nodded slowly.
A quick smile flashed on his face. “Now you don’t have to worry about anything. We’re going to be your team.” He splayed his hands as if presenting himself and the whole Avengers to her, though everyone was just in his head.
Then she scowled. “I-I can’t tell Darcy this. She’s going to freak out. How am I going to tell her?” What am I going to tell her?”
Thor caressed her face with a hooked finger. “I’ll tell her.”
“What time’s the dinner? I think her class won’t end until 5:30.” She checked her watch as they reached the edge of the garden.
“Then we have half an hour to prepare her.” He squinted his eyes and saw the coffee sign on a store across the street. “Would you want to have some coffee?” He pointed his Mjölnir disguised as an umbrella to the shop.
“I’ll have tea. I don’t want to become a nervous trainwreck later. But you go have your coffee,” she replied as they crossed the road.
The bell above the door clinked when Thor opened it for them. The lanky, young man behind the cash register looked up and scrambled to fix his glasses and apron that was tied around his waist. “Wow, uh. Good afternoon, sir Thor?” The young man stammered. The blush on his cheeks intensified when Thor smiled at him.
“Good afternoon.” Thor read his name tag. “Theo. I’ll have a cafe latte and a green tea for my darling here.” He placed a hand at the small of Jane’s back.
“I’m going to find a seat.” Jane excused herself and walked to the empty table at the corner of the cafe, right beside the glass.
Theo pressed some buttons on the cash register. “Would that be all?” Thor’s eyes wandered to the cake display. “We have chocolate fudge cake that can go with your coffee.”
“Alright, I’ll have one.” Thor turned to Jane. “Jane, would you like some cake?” Jane shook her head. “The lady won’t have cake.”
Theo nodded and sighed as he rang their orders. He gave the slip to his co-worker and then handed Thor his change. “We’ll bring your orders later when it’s ready.”
Thor smiled again. “Thank you, Theo.” Then he proceeded to join Jane on the table.
“By the way, how’s Stella? Is she healing well?” Jane asked when Theo placed their orders on their table. “Thank you,” Jane told Theo and he left.
“She’s recovering fine. The stab wound has healed.” Thor didn’t tell Jane everything. He just told her someone broke into the tower and Stella was the one who fought the perpetrator. “She could move around with ease now.”
“That’s good to hear. She seems to be a nice person. Like, I’d like to be friends with her.” Jane placed her mug down. “Don’t get me wrong but she’s less serious than Natasha.”
“I’m sure you two can get along well. Remember Stark’s party, you two couldn’t drain the topics that can be talked about! And she’s working with us too.”
“Really? So she’ll be there tonight?” Thor nodded. “By the way, why do you need us again?” Jane lowered her voice and leaned forward.
“It’s not my responsibility to tell you. They will tell you when we’re there.”
The bell above the door clinked. “Hey, Theo!” Jane craned her neck and Thor turned to the counter. It was Darcy. “Let me just get a cup of coffee. Wait up!” She told them and the couple went back to their topic.
“So, how are you going to tell her?” Jane asked Thor.
“Calm down, Jane. I got this.”
Jane fell back to her chair. “Sure you do.”
Darcy picked up her coffee from the counter. “Hello, big guy!” Thor smiled at her and she slumped on the chair she grabbed from the table next to theirs. “Ooo! Chocolate cake!” She picked up a fork and took a slice. “So, what’s up?” She looked at him and Jane. Her smile waned when she noticed Jane’s agitation. “What’s up?” She asked slowly.
Jane took a deep breath to compose herself and faked a smile. “Thor has something to tell you.”
Darcy took a sip of her coffee. “So, what’s up, big guy?” She peered over her glasses.
“How’s your schedule for the next month?” Thor raised his coffee mug a little.
Darcy wrapped her hands around hers. “Not that busy. Midterms will be the month after. Why’d you ask?”
“Because Tony is inviting both of you to dinner tonight.”
Darcy almost choked on her coffee. “Tony...Stark?” She placed her cup on the table. “Tony Stark is inviting us for dinner?” Her big eyes locked on Thor. “Why? And why did you ask me for my month’s schedule if Mr. Stark wants to have dinner with us?” She gasped. “Oh my god. Are you telling me Jane has a new project funded by Stark Industries?”
Thor scratched his beard. “Uh. Well, there are some important matters we would like to discuss with you.”
“Important matters? With us?” Her finger moved between her and Jane. “Why? What did you do?” She asked Jane.
“I didn’t do anything.” Jane raised her shoulders. “Thor, come on.”
Darcy looked back at Thor in confusion. “What’s going on?” She took a sip of her coffee.
“You’ll see later. But now, I need you to meet a few people before dinner.”
Darcy lit up. “Am I meeting the Avengers? Is Captain America single?”
Thor chuckled. “I have no idea if Rogers is single. But, yeah, you’ll be meeting everyone tonight.”
Darcy squealed and clapped her hands. “Damn, this is the best day ever!” Jane glared at Thor, who pursed his lips and slightly raised a hand. “So, what time are we needed there?”
Jane pulled the strap of her bag to her shoulder. “I think we should get going, don’t you think, Thor?” She slightly narrowed her eyes at him.
“Yes, yes. I think we should leave now.” Thor stood up and picked up his umbrella.
“Alright.” Darcy finished her coffee before standing.
Stella’s brows furrowed in deep thought. “So, this aether that was on Jane, is it still on Earth?” She asked after Loki told her how he met Jane.
“No, I sent it off the grid. Gave it to a man famously known as The Collector. It should be safe there.” Loki was playing with Stella’s other hand.
“You do have a bad habit of killing yourself, don’t you?” She pinched his cheek.
He clasped her hand. “I had to save myself and that’s the way I could do it.”
“You sound like a character in a video game. Respawning on a particular spot on the map when you die.” Stella brought her hand behind her ear and perched her elbow on the couch’s backrest. “Please don’t do that again. You’ll give me a heart attack.”
He moved closer to kiss her on the lips. “I promise I won’t.”
“I’ll hold on to that.”
Stella’s phone beeped. She picked it up and read the message. “It’s Thor,” she told him. “He said they’re on their way and they’re with Darcy. Who’s Darcy?”
Loki sat back on the couch. “I think that’s Jane’s friend. Thor mentioned her to me one time.”
She placed the phone back on the coffee table and stood up. “I think we should tell Nat that they’re coming. You know what to do, right?”
He rolled his eyes. “Can’t I just walk out from your door?”
“You’ll never know where she is right now. She might be in the common area.”
Loki grunted as he stood up, a hand slithering on her back. “Can’t wait to have you to myself tonight.”
Stella smirked. “You really are taking advantage of the sound-proof rooms, are you?” She tiptoed to kiss him on the lips, which he enthusiastically responded to. She yelped when he bit her lower lip and she pulled away. “Now, come on. Go back to your room. We have to be ready for them.”
“Fine.” Loki begrudgingly opened a portal back to his room and he disappeared with it.
Stella checked herself in the mirror before leaving her room. She knocked on Natasha’s door when she heard her call. “I’m here!” Natasha announced from the common area.
“Knew it,” Stella muttered and she knocked on Loki’s door. “She’s in the common area.” She tilted her head in the direction when the door opened. Loki followed her, his lips shut tight in a straight line. “Thor said they’re with Darcy. Do you know her?” Stella asked as they entered the common area.
Natasha was on one of the couches, reading Shakespeare. “Haven’t heard of that name before. Isn’t Jane his girlfriend?” She replied without lifting her eyes off the book.
The newcomers sat on the couch in front of her. “I believe that Darcy is Jane’s friend. Thor mentioned it to me once.” Loki added.
Natasha nodded. “Hmmm. I guess it’s a friendly face.” She looked at Loki. “Have you met her?”
He crossed his legs and placed his clasped hands on his knee. “Not yet.”
Natasha looked at the odd couple in front of her. Loki was wearing a black dress shirt, two top buttons open, tucked in a pair of black slacks, and black loafers. Stella, on the other hand, was wearing an olive green shirt that had a plunging neckline, buttoned-up until the half, and the lower half was tied to the front, sleeves until her elbows, paired with black straight cut jeans, and dark brown brogues. Natasha noticed Stella was incorporating Loki’s colors into her wardrobe little by little. She raised the book to cover the smirk on her face. They sat on each end of the couch. She wanted to tell them, well, tell Loki that she knows all about them. Maybe if he knew he would close the gap in a second.
“I wonder if Thor told them I was here,” Loki told Stella.
Stella patted her pockets. “I don’t have my phone with me.”
Natasha picked up her phone from the coffee table and tapped the message. After a moment her phone dinged. “He said he told Jane but not Darcy.”
“Oh, that oaf,” he muttered.
“Okay.” Stella sighed. “We got this.” Natasha nodded when she looked at her.
Their attention shifted to the elevator doors opening. Stella moved closer to Loki in anticipation. Loki moved his hand, ready to wrap it around her waist, but he put it down, remembering that everyone does not know about them yet. Not that they’re going to announce it.
Darcy froze when she saw a glimpse of Loki. “Thor!” She hissed as she backtracked her steps. Thor went back to her. “You didn’t tell me your brother’s here!”
The three in the common area noticed what happened. Natasha stood and walked to Jane. “Hey, Jane! How are you?” She hugged Jane.
Jane smiled and hugged back. “I’m good.” She watched as Stella and Loki approached them as well. “Hi, Stella!” Stella smiled and shook her hand. “And, Loki. I did not expect you to be here for long.” Jane tried to keep herself cool and collected.
“Neither do I.” He extended a hand to her and she reached out, albeit reluctantly. Loki shook her hand and when he released it, Jane exhaled, relieved nothing happened.
“Darcy, calm down. Everything’s going to be fine.” Thor told her.
“What? Why does everyone look okay? Jane even shook his hand!” Cold sweat was starting to pool on her back.
“That means everything is okay. You’re in safe hands.” Thor placed a hand on her hand, urging her to walk with him but she was frozen in place. “Come on, Darce.”
She gulped, holding her taser keychain. “Fuck me,” she muttered as they advance the group.
“I’m sorry about that.” Thor smiled at them. “Everyone, this is Darcy. Darcy this is -”
Darcy unconsciously clicked the button of her taser, sending the probes airborne. Everyone took a step back except for Stella, who slipped from Loki’s grip, and caught the probes with her bare hands. All the color left Darcy’s face when she realized what happened.
Stella clasped her hand on the probes and held on to it until the electricity disappeared. She opened her hand and gave the probes back to Darcy. “All good. You have to be careful with that next time,” she told her.
Darcy blinked. “How in the world...what the fuck…”
“Everything’s good, guys,” Stella told the group. “Things are good.” She looked at Loki, who looked impressed at what she did.
“Stella, are you alright?” Jane asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” She returned to Loki’s side.
“Is anyone not going to talk about what the hell just happened?!” Darcy said breathlessly.
“Uh, you pressed your taser,” Thor told her.
“I know but -” she raised a hand to Stella - “how?!”
Stella raised a hand and little blue sparks danced on her fingertips. “Perks of being a child of Zeus, I guess.”
“You’re a what?” Jane gasped. “Thor, you didn’t tell me she’s...that?!” She gestured both hands to Stella.
“Looks like we’re having a long conversation tonight,” Stella said and crossed her arms on her chest. Natasha smirked.
“Your father is Zeus?!” Darcy repeated.
“Yeah. He wasn’t really there while I was growing up but he did impregnate my mom so, there’s that.” Stella told her.
“Wow. So the Greek mythology is real. Is Jesus even real?”
“About that -” Loki interjected.
Darcy’s wide eyes panned to him. “He is?!”
“Yeah, we really have a long discussion tonight with all the questions you have,” Natasha commented.
“I am so sorry. I’m really sorry.” Darcy frantically said. “I don’t know what came into me. To be honest I was so nervous about meeting you guys then I saw Loki and I blacked out and didn’t realize I clicked my taser.” She blinked and shook her head. “No. Thor didn’t tell me you were going to be here!”
“I guess I have that effect on Midgardians.” Loki quipped. Stella rolled her eyes.
“If you want your answers, I believe we should meet Tony now?” Thor told everyone and Natasha agreed.
Everyone walked to the elevator but Darcy waited for Stella to pass by her so she could walk with her. “I have questions,” she told her.
“Of course, you do,” Stella smirked.
“How in the world are you Zeus’ child?”
Stella chuckled. “I really don’t know. I don’t even know how my mother met him.” Stella tried so hard to recall her conversations with Helena but she hit a mental wall.
“Can I ask something? I wouldn’t mind if you won’t answer.” Stella encouraged her to go on. “Did you ever meet him?”
Stella tried to recall. “Hmmm, I don’t remember actually. It’s weird. I don’t recall most of my childhood memories.”
“Oh, it’s okay.” Darcy tried to keep out of Loki’s sight, who was walking on Stella’s other side. They entered the elevator and Stella was between them. “This is bizarre. You’re a demigod, I just met Loki, Thor is dating Jane -” Jane jerked her head to Darcy - “Tasers don’t affect you. What the fuck.” She whispered the last sentence. Natasha, who was leaning on the wall with an amused look, smirked. “Don’t tell me you’re also a goddess,” Darcy told her.
“Do you know Minerva?” Stella asked Darcy. “That’s actually her. Roman goddess of wisdom and war. We just call her Natasha.” Stella disclosed matter-of-factly.
If it was possible for jaws to be detached, Darcy’s would hit the floor by now. Thor and Loki chuckled. Jane knew Stella was joking. Natasha rolled her eyes and giggled.
Darcy gawked at Stella. “You’re kidding, right?”
“I know there’s a lot to take in, Darce. You have to prepare yourself. This is only the beginning.” Thor told her.
Stella noticed Jane was also confused. “By the look on your face, I believe Thor didn’t tell you anything about me or Loki being here?”
“I knew Loki’s going to be here but not about you being a demigod. All he told me was you were a detective from Greece who is working with the Avengers.” Jane admitted.
“I didn’t know anything about all of this,” Darcy added.
“That’s true. I was a detective from Greece.” Stella confirmed.
Jane sighed and turned to Thor. “Any more information I need to know before my head will explode?”
“He has demigod children.” Loki smirked, earning a “hey!” from Thor.
They stood in anticipation as the doors opened to the 73rd floor. They filed out of the elevator and Pepper, who was overseeing the kitchen staff, approached them with a smile.
“Hello, Jane!” Pepper’s cheerful greeting broke through her anxiety. Jane finally relaxed and hugged Pepper back. “How are you?” Pepper held her by the arms.
“I’m good. A little shaken, but fine.” Jane giggled nervously.
Pepper peered over Jane’s shoulder. Loki snickered at the look she gave Thor. “What did he do again this time?”
“What did I do...why is it always me?” Thor blurted.
While this was happening, Natasha sauntered to the back to pour herself a glass of vodka on ice. Stella tapped Darcy’s shoulder and led her to the table. Loki patted his brother’s shoulder in comfort, though he was grinning.
Pepper let go of Jane. “Because you usually leave the place in shatters and you always take people by surprise. You’re stealing Loki’s god of mischief title.” She smirked at him. Jane raised her brows, surprised. Everyone else was watching.
Thor looked at Tony for help, who was approaching them with a drink in his hand. “Sorry, mate. She’s the boss around here.” Tony regarded Pepper, who elbowed him. “Hello, Jane!” He extended his hand to her. “How are you?”
“I have been discovering a lot of things today,” she replied.
“Well.” Tony sipped on his drink. “Buckle up ‘cause you’re in for a roller coaster ride.” He invited them to the table.
“Does that mean we are going to handle sensitive information? Do we have to sign an NDA?” Jane sat between Thor and Darcy.
“We’ll talk about that later. But first, where is everybody?” He looked around and noticed Steve, Sam, and Bruce were still missing.
The elevator doors opened, revealing Steve and Sam. Darcy’s jaw fell when she saw Captain America. “Jarvis, where’s Bruce?” Tony asked.
“He’s still in his lab, sir.” The AI replied. Darcy jerked her head upward, trying to find the source of the voice.
“Call him in. Tell him he’s missing a lot.” Tony noticed Darcy’s eyes were darting everywhere. “I made that AI. It controls the whole tower,” he told her.
Darcy moved her mouth but she couldn’t form any coherent words as of the moment. Steve and Sam joined them and they noticed her. “Hi, I’m Steve.” Steve extended his hand to her as he stood across her. “You must be?”
Darcy snapped her mouth shut. She slowly raised her hand, mesmerized by Steve’s blue eyes. Steve held her hand and shook it. “I-I’m Darcy. D-Darcy Lewis.” She slowly stood up.
“It’s okay, ma’am.” Steve patted her hand and let it go. “No need to stand. Nice meeting you.” He then faced Jane. “Hello, Jane.” He also shook Jane’s hand. Steve then pulled Sam. “This is Sam.” Sam extended his hand and they shook hands. Darcy was still speechless.
Thor nudged Darcy with his elbow. “Sam here can fly, in case you didn’t know.”
“Are you a demigod too?” She asked as the two men sat at the other end of the table.
Sam laughed. “No, dear. Just your average military man. On the other hand -” he jerked his thumb to Steve - “grandpa right here is vying for the title.”
Everyone laughed and Darcy loosened up a little. The elevator doors opened and Bruce appeared. There were more chats on the table as the dinner started. Everyone was catching up on Jane and getting to know Darcy. Jane was starting to look comfortable but Darcy was still trying hard. She couldn’t shake the anxiety off her shoulders when Loki was just a few feet from her. She was snatching glances at him but it seemed that he was not paying that much attention to her. He would interact with the others but it seems like his full attention is with Stella, who was sitting beside him.
Darcy wondered if they were on the same plane. What if Stella was like Loki? A trickster, born from the Greek god of mischief? She tried to remember who it was while sipping her soup but all she could remember was Anansi. She knew almost everyone at the table, well, except for Sam, but she could easily look him up online.
Darcy was extremely curious about Stella. She never imagined demigods would be a real thing until she met her and she displayed what she could do. Darcy wanted to find out more about her, and how Zeus could manage to procreate up until modern times.
After dinner, they convened on the 76th floor. Pepper kissed Tony good night and went back to her office on the upper floors of the tower to finish some pending work before hitting the hay. Everyone settled on the couches. Darcy’s attentive eyes were still on Loki, who sat beside Stella.
“So, Thor told me that all of you are working together,” Jane affirmed. She was sitting beside Thor. Darcy was on the next couch to her left, who was sitting next to Steve.
“Yeah, we are. In an unusual circumstance.” Tony, who was swirling his drink, confirmed.
“How did you end up working with them?” Jane asked Loki.
“It’s a matter of Asgardian, Olympian, and Midgardian security,” Loki replied cordially.
Jane looked at them, still confused. “What’s happening?”
Tony raised his glass to Stella’s direction. “It’s your story to tell now, Sparklers.”
Stella smirked, amused at the new nickname Tony christened her with. “So, I guess you know about what happened in Kalambaka, Greece months ago?” She asked Jane and Darcy.
Darcy gasped. “Oooh, yeah. That. We have been discussing that in our International Security class! We really couldn’t figure out who could do it.” She shared.
Stella’s brows raised. “Interesting. What came up to your study?”
Darcy shifted on her seat, putting her game face on. “We were thinking it would be a terrorist attack. But we couldn’t determine who could do it because, according to our professor, ‘it’s a new style of a massacre.’” She wiggled her fingers, forming quotation marks on the air. “We were thinking of genocide.” Stella nodded.
“Greece thinks it’s genocide.” Bruce scratched his unshaven chin.
Darcy leaned forward, perching her elbows on her knees. “Yeah, but why there? Why not the capital city? It’s not a populous city. We were thinking it would be an attack against religion.”
“The monasteries were untouched,” Loki added. “The monks reported that they didn’t see anything unusual that day or night.”
She brought a hand to her lips. “Wow, no one had that information. So, that’s another mystery. The UN now thinks Greece is doing something to their people. But there were no more attacks after that.” She pressed her palms together. “What’s happening?” She looked at Stella.
Stella took a deep breath and crossed her legs. “Greece told everyone it’s a terrorist attack because even they couldn’t explain what happened. But we know who did it. It was a god.”
Darcy slowly raised a finger upward. “That...god?”
Stella shook her head. “Not that god. It’s my half-brother, Ares.”
Jane stopped fidgeting. “Ares...the greek god of war? He’s real?”
“Apparently, but we haven’t seen him yet.” Tony quipped.
Stella nodded and explained. “Ares wanted to control the world, recruiting demigods to seize power in different countries. This has been a long-running plan of his, and Athena was the one ‘sweeping’ his mess.” Natasha chuckled and side-eyed the men. Steve raised an eyebrow to her. “Athena had been tracking him ever since. Until he attacked Loki.”
Jane and Darcy looked at Loki in shock. “Why?” Darcy asked.
“He was after the scepter,” Loki replied.
Tony pressed something on his phone and the scepter appeared as a hologram in the space in the middle. “That’s the scepter, for reference.”
“Where is it now?” Jane asked them.
“In an undisclosed location.” Tony was quick to reply.
Jane urged Stella and Loki to continue. “Months after, he commanded his demigod son to attack Kalambaka,” Stella added.
“Just his son? But the damage looks like it was done by a militia.” Darcy fretted.
Stella glanced to Tony, who pressed another button and the scepter was replaced by an image of a shadow warrior. “This is his army. They’re called shadow warriors and you kill them by hitting the head.” Tony told them. “Well, part of his army because he still has his demigods at his disposal. Probably more. We don’t know. But we wouldn’t let you into the fight. And tasers won’t probably work on them.” Darcy dropped her head, embarrassed.
“We’re going after Ares because he has in his possession an Asgardian artifact, the tesseract.” Thor finally spoke.
Sam raised an eyebrow. “I thought that case was close and done?”
“It was stolen when it was with SHIELD,” Loki responded.
“And I need to bring him back to Olympus to face his trial.” Stella expressed.
Jane rubbed her forehead. “How did you end up working together?” She moved her finger from side to side.
“Athena made me a guardian for Earthrealm, and, since Olympus and Asgard had a partnership going on, Athena and I were external consultants for Asgard. That’s why I know them and we could easily enter Asgard.” Stella explained. Beside her, Loki’s lips twitched upward, remembering that night Stella saved him from Ares.
“And father wanted Loki to look into this matter and work with Stella,” Thor stated.
“He just wanted me out of his way,” Loki grunted.
“I’m positive that’s not the reason,” Thor replied. Loki threw a look at him as if saying ‘you know what I said is the real reason.’
“So, where does the Avengers lie?” Jane further inquired.
“Ground control,” Natasha answered. “Make sure Kalambaka won’t happen again.”
“Wow. I can’t believe this. Olympus exists.” Darcy muttered.
“The fact that Thor and Loki exist means everyone else exists,” Steve commented. Darcy jerked, actually forgetting that he was beside her. “The first time I got out of ice and they told me about Loki, I told them there’s only one god. Now I’m seeing two.” He chuckled.
“And you’re about to see the third one.” Bruce teased.
“Do I have to see the real one?” Steve cocked his head, amused.
“If you wanted to do that you wouldn’t even be breathing by now,” Sam stated. Natasha almost spat her vodka.
“Since you laid down your positions, why do you need us?” Jane pressed.
It was Natasha’s time to explain. “We need to pose as a scientific team in one of the outlying towns around the Mojave desert.” Jane and Darcy perked up and looked at each other. “That’s why we thought of you. You could be the front of the team.”
Jane was already smiling at this point. “Perfect. I have not yet finished my astronomical map of that area.” She rubbed her palms together. “I know a place where we can stay. There’s a house in Hesperia that we rent.”
They turned to Sam. “Hesperia. Yeah, there will be a lot of military men in that city because the Mojave base is about a 3-hour drive from there,” he said.
“JARVIS, pull out the map,” Tony instructed and the hologram of the map appeared in front of them. “Show us Hesperia.”
Sam approached the hologram and swiped his finger on it. “Here’s the Mojave base.” He tapped the space and a blue pin appeared above the name. “And where was the tracker transmitting?” He asked Bruce.
Bruce adjusted his glasses. “JARVIS, please pinpoint the location.” The hologram zoomed out a little and a red dot appeared beyond the Mojave base, above the map. “That’s all we could see. We couldn’t even create a composite image of the compound or whatever that is. All we see are sand.”
Sam squinted, tapping his pursed lips, trying to remember the area. After a while, he shook his head. “No, can’t picture what’s supposed to be in that area. Haven’t been there.”
Tony approached the hologram map. “JARVIS, can you call Rhodey?” A few seconds after James Rhodes appeared on another hologram. “Rhodey, I know you’ve been in the Mojave desert multiple times, have you been in this area? JARVIS, send the coordinates.”
“What are we going to do in this place, by the way?” Bruce asked again.
“Check if the tesseract’s there. Better if Ares is there. The sooner this case will be closed.” Stella replied.
“Tones, that’s a barren land,” Rhodes replied.
Tony sat on the armrest of a couch. “It looks barren but a demigod’s tracker transmits to that coordinate.”
The Avengers started pacing around, studying the map, or discussing what to do and expect when they arrive. On the other hand, Darcy and Jane watched in anticipation. A little later Rhodes showed up.
“Who’s going in?” Sam inquired.
“Stella and I. We can conceal ourselves.” Loki replied.
“But we’re not translocating ourselves into the compound. It will disturb the magical environment of that area. They will find us out easily.” Stella added.
“And we don’t know the blueprint of this area.” Loki finished.
“You know, military trucks are coming in and out of Hesperia. You could hop into one.” Sam suggested, to which Jane agreed.
“But that might be a long way to go.” Thor scratched his breaded chin.
“Maybe trucks or any vehicles are coming from Hesperia going to that location. That’s one thing we have to find out.” Stella stated.
“Fighter planes are hovering that area from time to time. They didn’t report any unusual structures or the likes.” Rhodes told them. Tony faced him and he snapped his fingers. “I know! I can do an aerial survey on that area.”
“You’re not flying in there with the War Machine,” Tony interjected.
“Of course not. Wouldn’t risk it. Besides, they don’t attack US fighter planes when they do drills on that area.”
“How do you know they won’t attack?” Bruce asked in a daze.
Rhodes looked at him, unsure if Bruce was asking the right question. “Uh, because they don’t tell us they got attacked?”
Bruce sleepily stared at him. “Right.” He removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes.
“When can you do it, Rhodey?” Natasha inquired.
“I’ll be flying to California this Thursday, then Mojave by Friday. I think I can check out the area by Monday. They wouldn’t suspect a thing.”
Stella slowly nodded. “Do we have to go to Hesperia right away or should we wait for Col. Rhodes' word?”
Rhodes was standing beside Stella. “Rhodey is fine.” He nudged her with his elbow. She smirked in acknowledgment.
“What do you think?” Natasha asked Steve.
Steve perched his elbow on his arm that was folded across his torso. “I was thinking it would be best if there’s an advance party to Hesperia to set up and do recon. Also, make Jane and Darcy visible to the area so no one would suspect a thing. We could leave as early as tomorrow.”
“Wewewait a minute.” Jane stood up. “I can’t leave right away. There’s no one to substitute me.”
“I can be your substitute professor.” Tony half-shrugged proudly.
Jane crinkled her nose. “Uh, sorry. Can’t trust you with that.”
“Me too. I can’t leave right away. I have a quiz on Friday.” Darcy added.
“Tsk. It’s just a quiz.” Tony patted Darcy’s shoulder then ambled to Jane. “How about we fix that so you can be the first one to arrive in Hesperia? At least Darcy-” he gestured to her - “can follow Friday night.”
Jane’s eyes scanned the room as she thought. “Who’s gonna be there with me?”
Stella raised her hand. “I don’t know who else. Natasha?” She turned to her.
“Actually. I was thinking Steve, Sam, Thor, and I would be the first ones to go there for recon.” Natasha answered.
Stella lowered her hand. “I was thinking of going there with you for recon so I’ll know if there are demigods present in the city.”
“That’s a good idea.” Thor pointed out.
“I’m going.” They looked at Loki. Loki held his breath, waiting for an objection.
“Then we could wait for Rhodey there,” Steve said. Loki let out a silent sigh when no one objected.
Tony sat on the barstool. “So it’s just me and Bruce left here in the tower. I might ask Fury for some SHIELD agents to watch the floor where Castle is. Might even ask Clint to take watch too.”
“When are we leaving?” Stella asked Steve.
“Tomorrow, if possible.”
“Around what time?”
Steve sat on the couch. “Midday. Afternoon. Why?”
“I was thinking of bringing Jericho back to the Parthenon so you wouldn’t bother Fury. Bring him to Athena.”
“Are you going to do that alone?” Loki’s brows met.
“No. I was going to ask you to come with me.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “And I need your help.”
“When will you bring him there and how are you going to Hesperia?” Thor asked.
“Thinking of doing it tomorrow. We’ll be quick. And we’re going to find you, just give us coordinates.” Stella leaned on the bar counter.
“Sounds like everything looks good.” Tony pointed at Jane. “What do you think?”
Jane took in a deep breath. “I don’t know. I still don’t know if anyone can substitute me. How many days are we going to stay there?”
“A week or two,” Natasha replied.
“I think I need to lie down for all of this.” Darcy sat on the couch.
Jane rubbed her palms on her jeans and started to pace. “I understand you wanted to do this right away but I just can’t suddenly leave my class. If I had to be out for two weeks I had to plan out all the assignments.”
Darcy snapped her head to her. “Wow, Jane! Give your classes a break!”
“Yeah, why don’t you give your students a mini vacation?” Tony added.
Jane sat on the armrest of the couch. She looked at the coffee table in front of her when she noticed everyone was watching her. Stella tapped Steve’s arm. “Steve, why not start this weekend?”
Steve sat on the couch, weighing their options. He scratched his temple. “That could work too.”
“No.” Jane interrupted. “I can leave this week. But the earliest can be Wednesday.”
Stella gave Jane a concerned look. “You sure? Steve says the weekend’s fine.”
Jane nodded. “No. I’m sure. I can do Wednesday.”
Stella sat beside Steve and nudged him. “Then Wednesday it is,” he said.