Chapter Seventy-Four: Odin's Plan

Coulson looked at Professor Selvig, who stood before him, visibly uneasy from lying.

“His name is Donald Blake?”

“Yes, Dr. Donald Blake.”

At this point, for Jane’s sake, he had to get Thor out, even if he didn’t want to deal with this mysterious organization. But what choice did he have—he had a daughter, after all.

What could be more nerve-wracking than having a rebellious teenage daughter?

“Sir, we’ve found him.”

Coulson glanced back; as expected, the identity was fake, and the papers were forged just yesterday.

Are you questioning our professionalism? I suspect you take me for a fool.

Just then, Michael’s voice crackled in Coulson’s earpiece.

“Let them go.”

Coulson nodded and addressed Professor Selvig, “Your colleague is quite dangerous, Professor Selvig.”

For Jane’s sake, Selvig could only grit his teeth and continue to lie, though he’d never been this nervous in his life.

“Yes, when he found out you’d taken all our research data, he was frantic. It’s his life’s work, just gone like that.”

“You should know, people can do extraordinary things when something important is at stake.”

“With a secretive organization like yours, storming in with a squad of jackbooted thugs…”

“That’s what he said.”

Coulson frowned. “But that hardly explains how he breached our security. Are all research scientists this capable?”

“Stimulants—he’s a fitness enthusiast.”

Selvig could only keep bluffing.

The first step is always the hardest; now he felt almost practiced at lying.

It was so full of holes that Coulson thought no reasonable person would let them go.

“But the system says he’s a medical doctor.”

Damn, they’d faked the wrong credentials.

But things had gone too far to turn back now; Selvig had to keep pushing forward.

“Yes, he was. Now he’s a PhD in physics, an outstanding physicist. He’s been through a lot and is a good man.”

Coulson nodded, unwilling to keep up the charade. The more they spoke, the more obvious the flaws became, making it harder to justify letting them go.

“You can take him.”

An agent brought Thor over, and Professor Selvig breathed a sigh of relief, exclaiming happily, “Donny, Donny, I’ve come to get you. You’ll be fine; I’ll take you home now.”

Thankfully, Thor played along, agreeing without hesitation.

Coulson felt a wave of secondhand embarrassment and was tempted to remind Professor Selvig that the alias was Donald, not Donny.

“Professor Selvig, don’t let him near the perimeter—or the bar,” Coulson warned sincerely, worried that if he had to detain them again, he wouldn’t have any reason left to let them go.

“I will,” Professor Selvig replied, exhaling in relief as he led Thor away.

“Where are we going?” Thor asked.

“To the bar for a drink.”

Thor spotted Jane’s notebook and, quick as lightning, slipped it into his pocket.

The sight startled Selvig—if they were caught, things could get very ugly.

The two arrived at the bar, each ordering a large mug of beer.

Professor Selvig spoke at length, offering sage advice and recounting the history between Jane Foster, her family, and himself.

But at the heart of every word was a single message: Jane is like a daughter to me, so you’d better keep your distance.

In other words: finish your drink and be on your way, his tone that of a wary father on guard against a wild boar.

The drinking turned competitive; Thor wouldn’t set down his mug, and neither would Professor Selvig.

In the end, Selvig had intended to send Thor packing after a drink, but instead managed to get himself thoroughly drunk.

Thor helped Professor Selvig back to their temporary quarters, finally reuniting with Jane Foster. The two talked long into the night.

With Thor returning her notebook—even if it was of little real use—Jane’s affection overflowed, and she rewarded him with a grateful kiss.

Never in his wildest dreams had Selvig imagined that, thanks to a single glass of beer, he would personally deliver his precious “cabbage” to a wild boar.

...

Asgard, Palace of the All-Father.

Odin opened his eyes and looked at Frigga.

“You’re finally awake.”

Frigga couldn’t help but feel joy at seeing Odin’s eyes open. After countless years together, she was deeply accustomed to his presence.

“I was never asleep—I was only pretending.”

Frigga smiled. “I could tell, which is why I stayed.”

She knew Odin was nearly at his limit, but with Thor still acting immature, Odin had no choice but to press him, forcing him to grow up quickly.

“Where is Loki? Why hasn’t he returned?”

It was nearly time for Loki’s performance—why hadn’t he come back?

Without Loki’s signature schemes—stabbing his own father, showcasing the twisted bond between father and son—how could the war with Jotunheim be resolved?

“I don’t know. He went to Midgard and never returned.”

Odin sensed trouble. Could Loki be planning to kill Thor on Midgard before coming back?

Thor, without Mjolnir and with no defense against Loki, would be doomed.

“Bring Heimdall to me.”

Heimdall possessed the all-seeing eyes, able to watch over the Nine Realms and observe any corner of them.

He was Odin’s most trusted subordinate; otherwise, Odin would never have entrusted him with the guardianship of the realms.

Soon, Frigga summoned Heimdall. Kneeling on one knee, he saluted Odin.

“Heimdall, quickly, what is Loki doing?”

Heimdall hesitated. “Loki has learned to evade my gaze—I can’t see his location.”

Realizing things had spiraled out of control, even Odin felt a twinge of fear.

“Then look for Thor—and Mjolnir.”

Heimdall immediately called upon his all-seeing sight, searching for Thor.

“Thor is resting. It seems he hasn’t woken up yet.”

“There are S.H.I.E.L.D. agents near Mjolnir, and Loki appears to be there too.”

Loki’s magical powers had been sealed, making him easy for Heimdall to detect.

“How is Loki?” Odin asked at once.

“He’s been captured,” Heimdall replied. “He’s shackled with anti-magic cuffs, and even his mouth is gagged.”

Odin and Frigga exchanged incredulous looks.

After a moment’s hesitation, Frigga asked, “Loki’s been captured?”

“Yes, he’s been bound and gagged.”

Odin sighed in astonishment and said to Heimdall, “Pretend you never saw me. Frigga, let’s go.”

Heimdall was puzzled, but sensing Odin’s intent to keep something secret, he simply obeyed and never mentioned it again.

Odin and Frigga returned to the chamber of rest, and Odin lay down once more.

This time, however, he didn’t sleep immediately but chatted with Frigga.

The so-called Odinsleep was a ruse, but that day would come soon enough, and Odin knew it was near.

Before then, he must take away his old adversary, Laufey the Frost Giant. That would bring peace to the Nine Realms for a while—long enough for Thor to mature.

Whether Laufey could be dealt with depended on Loki’s actions. Given Loki’s character, he was surely already plotting his escape, so Odin was not overly worried.

What truly concerned him was Frigga.