 The Asgardian Loki encounters the Other , the leader of an extraterrestrial race known as the Chitauri . In exchange for retrieving the Tesseract , 2 a powerful energy source of unknown potential , the Other promises Loki an army with which he can subjugate Earth . Nick Fury , director of the espionage agency S.H.I.E.L.D. , and his lieutenant Agent Maria Hill arrive at a remote research facility during an evacuation , where physicist Dr. Erik Selvig is leading a research team experimenting on the Tesseract . Agent Phil Coulson explains that the object has begun radiating an unusual form of energy . The Tesseract suddenly activates and opens a wormhole , allowing Loki to reach Earth . Loki takes the Tesseract and uses his scepter to enslave Selvig and a couple of agents , including Clint Barton , to aid him in his getaway . 
