Long-Term Plan (Second Update)

"Tony, now isn't the time for that." Steve came to Thor and Salomon's rescue, sparing them from being dragged by Stark into looking at some flashy yet impractical mechanical designs. "We should be discussing the scepter now, Thor. J.A.R.V.I.S., bring up a world map." Captain Rogers said, "And the locations of the Hydra bases we cleared out before... though they were really all S.H.I.E.L.D. bases."

"Old man, don't be such a killjoy!" Stark clicked his tongue, though he realized that what he was doing was somewhat inappropriate. He looked at the Arcanist and stroked his chin. "Magic Boy, did you foresee something again? And decide to come join this little party?"

"Why would you say that?" Salomon asked curiously.

"You're on the plane," Stark said. "I thought your portals might be faster."

Natasha Romanoff abruptly turned to look at the Arcanist. This mysterious fellow always came and went as he pleased. If he had made a special trip to join the mission Thor had mentioned, then there had to be something in that mission no one else had anticipated. Clearly, she was not the only one thinking so. Several pairs of eyes fixed directly on the Arcanist, seemingly eager for the answer he would give.

"Uh... no. I just smelled the cheeseburgers in the plane's warming box." Salomon's answer drew a dissatisfied grunt from Thor. He dearly wanted a lively battle to vent the frustration in his heart. Salomon said, "What's so surprising about that? Casting magic takes physical stamina too. After opening a portal across half the globe, can't I at least have something good to eat?"

The others were still engaged in an animated discussion with Thor about the mission, combining the available intelligence with the information provided by Agent Hill to speculate on Loki's Scepter's whereabouts. Unable