Loki and Ingrid 40

Written in 2 sittings. Sorry it's so long. Wanted to keep writing but it would be even longer and it's 4;13 AM and i got stuff tomorrow so clifffhanger-ish sorry 

Glass Cell

I glance up sharply, as the rest of the ceiling comes crashing in. “Thor? What are you doing here?”

          He lands in the middle of the floor, blinking in the dim light. “Where’s Sif?”

          “What?” I look up, “We’re trapped in here—”

          “Who are you, and where’s Sif, I can’t see!”

          “Two good eyes and you can’t see in here? That’s funny, because I can see just fine.”

          “Loki?”

          “Stop, I don’t want to be rescued.”

          “It’s Ingrid,” I say, loudly, “That’s who—”

          “Of course, it is, now where’s Sif? Were you going in to rescue her?”

          “I don’t know, but, you can’t stay here, you’re wanted, they thought you were on the ship—”

          “What are you two doing here? Or is Lydvor here too?”

          “She is, regrettably.”

          “Shut up, Loki, Ingrid, tell him!”

          “Thor, it’s dangerous, there’s this girls named Gadalia and Gemina, and they’re working for Thanos, the lot of them, we were communicating with their ship, Loki didn’t want Lyd to shoot, and then they jammed our controls and transmissions and we ended up here, but you need to go, and how did you know Sif was here, I didn’t even know she was here!”

          “I figured out where that ship was headed based on coordinates, and I tracked them, knew Sif was in trouble, and your brother told me she wasn’t on Asgard, as I finally got through. I deduced that Sif was being held here. You didn’t come to rescue her?”

          “We didn’t know. I can’t see anything either.”

          “Here, if you really need to see what’s going on, Ingrid, I thought better of you.” Loki casts a low green light over the room, and I try to inspect the team, worse for the wear. My dress got ripped a long time ago, maybe on the ship, maybe back on Asgard, maybe during the interrogation, I’m not exactly sure, and there are clumps of dirt in my hair. I try to brush myself off as I look at the others, Thor looks like Thor always would, somehow, nothing ever gets dirty, Loki is still in party clothes that are looking worse for the wear and Lyd looks like she’s been scavenging the dump all day after getting into a fight with a Jotun beast.

          It takes a minute for me to fully realize everything that has happened in the last 48 hours, and my head hurts. I remember what happened with Loki just days earlier, not to mention my encounter with the guardians on my mission with Lyd, then her immobility, running to the forest, talking with Loki, the junk traders, Gadalia and Gemina coming, going unconscious, waking up on Lyd’s ship, Lyd’s past and outbursts, her surrender, Thor’s call, infinity stones, Lyd’s memory, and lastly getting locked in this room, awaiting death.

          I can’t believe I’m alive, let alone that Thor is here, for real, not a quick call on a ship. The last time I saw him was…the battle where Loki killed Aura? It feels like it’s been an eternity. More than anything, I want him to be safe, want him to escape while there’s time, we’re stalling, the ceiling gap is large enough to escape through need be, we can get out without him, really. But Thor feels like a part of our team, and more of a brother to me than the three of mine combined. And boy, am I glad to see him.

          “Thor!” I throw my arms around him as I’ve been wanting to do ever since he came bursting through the roof, “You came back!”

          Out of the corner of my eye, I see Lyd looking visibly ill, sitting in the corner by myself. “Hold on a moment.”

          “Lyd? What’s wrong?”

          “Stop, I’m fine.”

          “You spilled your whole life story on me, you are not fine. Tell me what’s wrong.”

          “How about everything, ok?” Her voice is bitter as she turns towards the wall, “I don’t want to talk about it. I thought I was dead a minute ago, ok?”

          “We all did.”

          “So, it’s not time for dumb emotions, what’s the escape plan now that we have a god-hole in the ceiling.”

          “I don’t know yet, I’ll let Thor and Loki figure it out, Thor’s here to rescue Sif apparently.”

          “You don’t think I’ve been listening?”

          “Whatever.”

          “Don’t say that.”

          “Say what?”

          “I actually thought I was dead, no way out. That’s a pretty big fucking deal.”           “Yeah? You wanna know I’ve been in that situation before—”

          “I know, Ingrid, I just read your fucking mind, ok? I saw some crazy shit in there, and yeah, Loki is absolutely crazy about you, guess I was wrong!”

          “Wrong about what?”

          “Nothing, Loki, I wasn’t talking to you—”

          “You talked about me while I can hear you, I have the right to comment on it!”

          “Alright, everyone, STOP!”

          “You stop, Thor,” Lyd sounds tired, “I probably shouldn’t insult you, but I don’t even care anymore.”

          “If you don’t care, I don’t care, but you need to listen to me. All of you.”

          “But—”

          “ALL OF YOU! So, Loki has an idea of the facility based on his mind link with Gadalia, and we were able to locate Sif. She’s being held in the farthest room in the Secondary hangar,”

          “Secondary hanger B., Thor.”

          “Secondary hanger B., and, I hate to break it to all of you, but we’re going to have to split up as to not get caught.”

          “Not safe to have me alone right now, I think I’ll murder someone,” says Lyd.”

          “No murders, at least not yet. We need to spilt up who does what here. I need someone who won’t make a racket to try to get into the main hangar, then make their way over, I said someone who won’t make a racket, I’m looking at you, Lydvor!”

          “I’ll do it,” I say quickly.

          “You’re crazy, I told you to use the heat duct, I’ll do it.”

          “Can we not argue over this? Let me do it, I’m smaller, can fit into tight spaces—”

          “Like a heat duct? I’m going, it’s settled.”

          “What do you want me to do, watch duty?”

          “Actually, yes,” explains Thor. “We’ll need to operate in two teams.”

          Lyd groans, “This isn’t going to work,”

          “You’re with me, Lyd.”

          She groans again, “Why, I literally just did a mission—”

          “And you see how that turned out,” I sigh.

          “You don’t want to be with me Ingrid?”

          “I don’t want to die,” I sigh, knowing she’s going to go off at the sight of Gadalia and ruin the entire operation. I’ll let Thor deal with that one.

          “Lyd, I need you to watch the North doors, it’s heavily guarded, only open fire if necessary. Loki and Ingrid, one of you go into the hangar, and one of you needs to watch the door between the two hangars, so no one goes into the hanger where Sif is, do you understand? And I’ll distract the guards at the main entrance to the primary hangar.”

          “Sounds pretty complicated,” sighs Lyd, “But I’ll go.”

          “Loki, she’s your responsibility—”

          “Why? She can handle herself, stop with the gender roles already.”

          “I don’t want unnecessary blood on my hands.”

          “I’m not a child, Thor.”

          “Very well, but both of you, be careful. I’m giving all both of you a special wristband, there’s a button to call either Lyd or I if one of you are in trouble, just press the green button and twist once to the left. Lyd and I are wearing them as well, if one of us calls don’t come rushing in recklessly, regroup, think, and one of you will try to find us, now go!”

          “Ingrid, I’m going into the hangar.”

          “You sure? If they see you just busting someone out of captivity—you know she’s here as bait, it’s you and Thor they’re after.”

          “Better I go in than be visible, if that’s true, and that’s where your job comes in.”

          “Weapon?”

          “It’s on your belt, Thor attached your gun already, Ingrid, but don’t forget how to punch people?”

          “Got it, you?”

          “Do I have a weapon?”

“Don’t I ever? And would I listen to Thor?”

          “Your dagger?”

          “You’ll be outside the door at all times, remember, contact me, if you’re leaving your post.”

          I nod uneasily, “Yes of course, but please be quick about it.”

***

“Who are you?”

          “Syd Brosskia,” I lie, using a made-up name from one of my childhood stories about a Midgardian girl who was a superhero and went on adventures through space. It’s the first name I can think of.

          “And why are you blocking the door to the hangar?” I feel my arm band vibrating. Oh no, I think, Lyd got herself into some trouble, didn’t she? That can’t be good.

          “I’m—not…” I stutter.

          “Move aside. It’s an order.”

          “Who are you anyway?”

          “One of the overseers at this facility, and who might you be?”

          “No one.”

          “Who are you?”

          “I’m not talking.”

          A slow smile creeps across his face, as he speaks into an earpiece. “Gadalia, I think I found someone—small blonde girl, won’t talk—oh is she?—Fantastic—any sign of Laufeyson?—No, I’m sorry, I haven’t seen Lydvor—what do you mean?—alright, I’ll apprehend her immediately, hands up!”

          I slowly back into the wall where the door is.

          “HANDS UP!”

          I breathe deeply. I have three options, surrender, run and try to rescue Lyd, leaving Loki and Sif, or open fire. The last one is a mistake, panicked, I fire and miss.

          “What do you want, missy?”

          “Let me go!” I shout. I’m on the floor now, tethered to a pole on the wall, his handkerchief wrapped tightly around my mouth as I can’t speak.

          I sit up as best I can and look through the glass into the next room, where the concealing walls have now been brought down and I can see clearly what is going on. My wristband is still beeping, and I know its Lyd. I need to get in touch with Thor now. Fortunately, now that I’m down, they’re busy with Loki and Sif so I can try to break free, without much luck. My hands and feet are bound, and I can’t cry for help. I can only watch. Now I know how Loki felt when Nova tried to kill me.     

          “I think someone’s coming, Sif, don’t let your guard down. I can’t see—what is this place anyway?”

          “I’m not sure, but I let’s get out of here, I’m mad!”

          “Don’t yell, you’ll send the whole building in here faster than you can—oh, no.”

          Gadalia is there, bursting open the door to the chamber, and pressing a switch. “Now you can see, Laufeyson. Not to mention—”

          “Hey!”

          Gadalia whips around, and I try to shout, “Lyd?” but it’s muffled under the handkerchief.

          “Too bad nobody killed you yet, you worthless, worthless girl. Yes, poor baby.” Gadalia reaches for Lyd, knife in hand. “There isn’t anything you can do about it, is there? I always wanted to kill you, you worthless little shit,” she spits, “But I never thought it would be like this, oh no, maybe I underestimated your fighting skills, but you’re still no match for the Great Gadalia, master bounty hunter for the Titan himself! And I say that we have a little personal conversation—” she points her knife straight at Lyd’s throat, “Your friend can’t help you now,” she laughs, “No one will help you, you worthless, you evil little bitch! I’ll kill you—I’ll!”

          I flinch, preparing for the blow. But it never comes. Silence, as everything freezes, I can’t move, can’t think. I try to shout, as Lyd takes notice of me. “Ingrid!”

          “Ingrid? What’s she doing here?” I hear Sif, getting up, trying the door.

          “Sif, hold on!” It’s Loki. “I don’t want—”

          “You aren’t going anywhere—” And just like that, Gadalia pulls a gun out of her pocket and shoots…straight at Sif. She’s down before anyone has time to react, but I notice something. With all the tossing and turning, the handkerchief is getting looser and looser, until finally, I shake it free, falling around my neck. “Sif!”

          “Ingrid, get Thor!”

          “I can’t!”

          “Is your comm still working?”

          “Thor, Thor, come in Thor! Thor! Sif is down and Lyd has been apprehended, I’m trapped, over.”

          “Oh dear,” says Gadalia, “Guess I’d better get this over with. You’re history Lydvor. Not even history. Dust.”

          “Well don’t take time dawdling about it—”

          “Laufeyson, we have unfinished business which we shall get to momentarily. Stand by for a moment. What do you want, anyway?”

          “Everything, Gadalia, a fortress. Riches. A book or two.”                             

          “Tell me everything. When did you first encounter Master Thanos?”

          “Either kill her or let her go, I don’t see the difference, she’s no good to you anyway, not to mention distracting from the problem at hand.”

          “I like to draw these things out.”

          “Something tells me you’ll regret killing her.”

          “Does she have information.”   

          “No more than I do, but that’s beside the point. Best get on with it. See to it that no harm come to Ingrid.”

          “That,” says Gadalia, “Will be handled in due time. But as long as you cooperate, I don’t foresee any complications. For now, I want you to wait. Any interference, any at all, I will hurt her, yes, I have—”

          “Get on with it! Then I’ll tell you about Thanos!”

          “Fantastic. Nothing has changed. Siblings, she would turn you over to Aura to spare her friend, this is your revenge. Not that we will keep the trust, oh no. When she failed to bring us Laufeyson, Gracia was killed. A pleasure to be rid of her!”

          “You…you sick bastard!” Lyd screams, trying to fight Gadalia, as I try to eat away at my bonds now that my mouth is free.  I try to reach Thor again. “Sif is down, Lyd and I need help, come immediately—” static. He abandoned us again.

          “Oh, best be hurrying now, after I toss you around some more…remember everything. He won’t help you—and she can’t help you. One last reminder of how worthless you are.” A sick grin appears on her face as the knife comes ever closer to Lyd’s throat, as she screams. Any second now, any second.

          “STOP!”

          “How did you…?” Gadalia whirls around, still holding Lyd hostage, as copy-Loki, emerges behind me.

          “Never mind that! Time to kill both of you after I’m done—or you could talk.”

          “Fine. If you spare both of them I’ll talk—Ingrid, go!”

          Even now that I’m free I’m frozen, fight or flight response.

          “GO!”

          “I’m not going to leave!” I shout, jumping up, my arms and legs still aching from the bonds. I fire my gun once, but Gadalia doesn’t budge.

          “You want to shoot her?” Gadalia smiles. If you shoot her, I’ll let both of you go, no questions asked.”

          “I don’t believe you.” My blood is boiling, I want to shoot Gadalia so bad…

          “Your arms must be tired Gadalia,” Loki jumps her, “I’ve got her, no worries.”

          “Why should I trust you?”

          “Do you have a reason not to, Gadalia? I’m an honest liar. I’m also a master of the dagger.”

          Gadalia sighs. “No, just hold her down, let me do the killing, I want the satisfaction!”

          “If you say so, Gadalia.”

          Why is he doing this? I want to scream, but anything I could say could be dangerous.

          “Let go!” Lyd screams, “Let go now!”

          “Never. So long, sister,--Ingrid” he mouths in my direction. “Shoot now, where I’m holding her, but don’t hit her.”

          “What are you…?”

          “Trust me, okay?”

          I nod, aim, and close my eyes, hoping this is all a dream.

          It all happens so quickly, as copy-Loki fades and drops Lyd, real Loki sneaks behind, trying to catch Gadalia, she backflips away, and the duel begins. I try to stay out of it, putting away my gun and staying close to the glass wall, now being penetrated.

          “Why didn’t you just drop me, idiot!” screams Lyd.

          “If I had she would have stabbed you!”

          “You were trying to kill me, brat!”

          “I just saved your life!”

          “Bullshit. Watch your back!”   

          It’s Gadalia, close now, as the chip attaches to his clothing.

          He seems oblivious, trying to shove a knife down her throat but unfortunately missing.

          “Loki! Don’t move!”

          “Ingrid?”
          “The chip—”

          “Not so fast,”

          “Gadalia, you bitch, how are you like five people?” snaps Lyd, sharply.

          “Yeah, she’s everywhere,” I can hear myself saying, as she uses a device to immobilize me. Why didn’t you just use that before, you jerk? Why’d you have to tie me up? But I don’t say anything. I’m just glad I can still speak and still have a view of the inside chamber, which Gadalia has now forced Loki into.

          “Lyd!” I shout! “Do something! Why weren’t you at your post anyway?”

          “I knew something was wrong, Ingrid.”

          “Do something!”

          “I—”

          “I’ll deal with you later, Lydvor!” Says Gadalia, smugly locking the door.”

          She shakes her head, “There’s nothing I can do, “I’m locked out. Can’t break you, either, she’s got the controls. I’m so sorry, Ingrid. He shouldn’t have saved me, or I shouldn’t have come. I’m making things worse.”

          “No, Lyd. But you should probably be quiet!”

          “There’s a control unit over there, might be a way for me to help you,” says Lyd, jumping up.

          “Thanks, be quick.”

          I turn my attention to Gadalia and Loki.

          “Oh, you aren’t going to talk, are you? Suppose I can trust you not to. So, I can trust you after all,” she smirks.

          “I’m glad you can trust me.”

          “What if you were to break my trust?”

          “I won’t I promise.”

          “Even 100 volts and some memory luggage won’t change your mind?”

          “Hey, I got it!”

          “Lyd? I can move!”

          “Stay here. Do I don’t want anything to happen. I’ll stay with you.

          “No, go find Thor. Please.”

          I turn back to the attention, where Gadalia has turned on the chip.

          “You going to talk?”       

          “No, and neither will I!”

          “Ah, the girlfriend. How are you?”

          “My name is Ingrid, and I’m not his girlfriend.”    

          “Emergency alert, Lydvor has escaped!”

          “I’ll be back when hopefully you’ve decided to talk,” smirks Gadalia, “Now, off to kill the little punk.”

          Part of me wants to chase her down, but I can’t just leave Loki and Sif. Besides I don’t stand a chance against her. Hopefully she can find Thor in time.

          “Loki, look at me! How thick is this glass?”

          “You got through the glass once in the dungeons on Asgard—”

          “This is different, magic is banned and besides I don’t even know how I did it! And we aren’t on Asgard, so—”

          “They’re getting smarter in development of these things. At least I’m not getting anyone’s memories this time, but even my practice isn’t—”

          “You have to fight it!”

          “Stop, Ingrid, just stop.”

          I take a look at where one of the bullets made a hole in the glass and start kicking, to no avail.

          “Stop it.”

          “No, you’re not thinking straight.”

          “You’re kicking glass, you’re the crazy one—”

          Finally. I pull out my gun, shooting at the of the wall, as it finally all caves in.

          “Check on Sif for me priority one.”

          Right, the mission. I try to examine Sif’s bullet wound, but I can barely think or see straight, but she seems to have lost a good deal of blood and been knocked unconscious. I hope Thor can deal with it later.       

          “Is she going to be okay?”

          “I don’t know, I hope Thor will get here.”

          “I want you to get out of here, Ingrid.”

          “No, why?”

          “They’ve got me, Ingrid—”

          “No, they don’t, don’t talk—”

          “You haven’t been in this kind of pain, Ingrid.”

          “Yes, I have, don’t talk. You keep bringing it up, the time I almost died—” Not cool, Ingrid, don’t lose your cool. You know what it feels like. “I’m sorry.”

          “If this doesn’t kill me, I’m going to talk.”

          “No, you’re not, you know better than to talk.”

          “It’s been too long, and I’m weaker since the incident—don’t know how long I can hold out. Shoot me if I start talking?”

          “What? No!” Just shoot Gadalia, it’ll be okay. “I hear footsteps.”

          “I don’t care. Stay with me.”

          “I promise.”