Ryan snatched the Scepter.
Glowing with the same deep-blue light as the Cosmic Cube, the Scepter gleamed in Ryan's hand.
He glanced down. Loki's lips moved as though he wanted to dispute being called weak, but in the end, he said nothing.
Nick pulled the trigger. The bullet struck Ryan square in the eye, then bounced away before Nick's stunned gaze.
Nick fired several more shots in disbelief. Every bullet bounced off. None could penetrate Ryan's skin.
Nick stared at him. "Monster. How did you get into S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
"I was hired through the proper channels." Ryan nudged Loki with his foot, telling him to get up.
Loki's earlier composure had vanished. His face twisted with resentment as he shouted, "You dare kick a god?"
Ryan planted a foot on his face. "You're exactly who I'm kicking."
Loki fell silent. He lay on the ground, staring blankly at the ceiling.
The ceiling glowed deep blue with residual energy from the Cosmic Cube's teleportation.
That energy would destroy the secret base. Built underground, it would bury anyone who failed to escape beneath dirt and stone.
Ryan noticed the energy rippling across the ceiling too. The place was about to collapse, and he had little time to linger.
He lifted his foot off Loki. "Let's go."
By then, Nick had emptied his gun. It clicked on an empty chamber, and he tossed it aside.
Nick knew what one person could do alone was limited. He looked to Hawkeye for help, hoping his subordinate would do something useful.
Instead, Hawkeye raised his gun and aimed at him.
Bang.
Hawkeye fired without hesitation. The bullet struck near Nick's feet, startling him into diving behind cover.
In a gunfight, the side with heavier firepower could pin the other down.
Nick was pinned now. He crouched behind