A Girl of the Future

by Vanessa Krowd

  Steve bit back the urge to tell Tony not to split from the group. It was, he had to admit, a better plan. Nikki and Erik could handle themselves well enough, they had already

  proved it if Tony's earlier words could be believed. And they were more likely to find the others quickly if Tony went searching down another path.

  Before he could reply, Remy pushed open a door and cursed profusely, slamming it shut again as the sound of bullets hitting the back filled the hall. He gave a sheepish grin to

  the others.

  "Found Bali."

  Steve didn't have time to ask how many HYDRA agents were guarding him, as Thor slammed through the door, wielding Mjolnir with what almost looked like a snarl on his face.

  There was the sounds of bullets, metal impacting with flesh, and quick screams. Thor swung open what was left of the door and peeked out.

  "The way is clear," he announced, moving to let the others in.

  This room wasn't like the one they'd found Remy in. It wasn't an examination room, but a holding room. Silver chains extended from the ceiling and the walls, suspending an

  unconscious Bali in the center of the space. Three guards lay prone in the space between the door and Bali. What looked to be a deck of cards, perhaps from a game the

  guards had been playing, was scattered across the floor.

  "Get ready to catch him," Remy announced, picking up some of the cards.

  The playing cards Remy picked up began to glow with magenta light, growing brighter as he held them up before him. Thor strapped the hammer back to his belt, walking up to

  where Bali was hanging. Remy suddenly threw the cards forward, each one flying towards a separate chain. They exploded upon impact and Bali fell into Thor's arms.

  The younger Asgardian seemed to come to a bit from the impact, tilting his head up to reveal a silver muzzle, much like the one Loki had worn when he'd left Earth, strapped

  over his mouth. Steve moved forward to fiddle with the back of it as Thor tried to hold his brother up straighter. Frustrated by the lack of progress, Steve hooked his shield on

  his back harness and dug his finger around the metal to snap it.

  It only groaned in response, bending in some places but not breaking, and Thor motioned for him to switch places. Steve awkwardly moved around to prop Bali up as Thor

  gripped the back of the muzzle. It gave a high squeal, the metal snapping beneath Thor's fingers. Bali took a deep, gasping breath as the muzzle fell to the ground.

  "Magic-dampening runes," Thor muttered as he examined one of the chains dangling from Bali's wrists.

  "You shouldn't be here," Bali whispered, looking at Steve with a frantic look in his eyes.

  "Don't speak," Tandy warned, pressing another light dagger into Bali's chest.

  Bali shook his head emphatically, his hand gripping Steve's shoulder too tightly, "They want her. We're just for information, but they want her. She's the prize."

  Fear swept over Steve like an ocean current, "Nikki."

  "Cap!" Tony suddenly shouted over the comms. "It's a goddamn trap!"

  The End