NOVEL FROG Arc Sixteen. Chapter Four Hundred Fifty-Five. A Delicate Touch
Protests were starting. It was why on a cloudy and bleak February morning, Peter was walking the streets of New York. The Xandarians had given Humanity First a new target. It was bad enough, to them at least, that mutant filth walked their streets. Now they had to put up with mutant alien filth as well. It was the usual idiotic hate they spewed. Never mind the promises of environmental technology to fix the planet. Never mind the medicine they were already providing. Nope, they were alien and therefore bad. The only good thing was that Malik and JJ were still fresh enough. The scandal was still going on as more and more evidence of Malik's crimes was uncovered. In the past the protest would have been hundreds, now there were no more than twenty people. He could feel the growing animosity. It was just the start. A snowball could still cause an avalanche.
Peter, he heard, I am sorry for the intrusion but a situation has arisen. Are you busy? As he was walking around Central Park, holding a barely warm cup of coffee, he sighed.
No Charles, not at all.
Can you visit?
Sure, and a portal appeared not too far from him. Throwing his coffee cup in the trash he walked through and froze. A massive warship hovered above the domes of Avalon.
“Scary isn't it?” Charles said, and Peter could only nod. “It was hidden when they first arrived. They sent an envoy to ask us politely to leave and return to Earth so we could be counted. When we pointedly said no, they began patrols. When we used our powers to keep them away, that arrived. It's been there since and I will admit, even I am apprehensive.”
Peter followed Charles down the main walkway, and it was unusually quiet.
“As you can see, a lot of people are returning to Earth. Genosha has already been repopulated by Selene, and the Government is making plans to make it a new state. Avalon failed.”
Peter shook his head, “It didn't fail, People are scared. One shot and the dome is gone. They don't even need to send troops, just depressurise Avalon. But, I guess that's not why I'm here?”
Charles shook his head, “No, sorry, but you are here as we have a problem. A muscular blonde, seven-foot-tall problem. And I was rather hoping you could deal with him.” Charles sighed, “He is being difficult, and unreasonable, and so far has eaten most of the food we have left. I was hoping as you had already met him, you could talk to him?”
Peter huffed, “Thor?” Charles nodded, “of course, he can travel through space.” He shrugged. He knew he was going to have to deal with Thor at some point. He had just hoped to have more friendly faces with him. “Fine, let’s go then.”
Charles smiled, “Excellent. We have him waiting in one of the dining rooms. But he isn't too happy.”
Charles led Peter to the same dining hall they had used. Sat eating what looked like a roast chicken was Thor. He grinned with a mouth full of food. “Friend Peter, come, eat. The food here is small but very good.” He waved a drumstick at the chair next to his. “It seems there is nothing else to do, and I could use the company.”
Peter looked over at Charles who sighed, “I’ll get the kitchen to cook more food, I hope chicken is okay. We really don’t have anything else.”
Peter shook his head,d “I’ll deal with this and take him back to Earth, so, I’m fine.”
Charles nodded, ”hopefully you can be more persuasive”
And be careful, my powers dont seem to affect him.
Peter snorted. They won't, he’s not human. You’ll need to spend time with an Asgardian to learn how to read their thoughts.
Peter sat at the table next to Thor, who was busy spooning what looked like mashed potatoes into his mouth.
“So, how's Asgard?” Peter asked while Thor ate.
“Peter. Let's not be bilgesnipes okay. We both know Carol is on Earth, and she’s fine. Asgard wasn't her fault,” he said, with a more serious tone than before. Looking at the spoon, Thor shrugged, took the last bite of potato from it and then threw it back into the dish. “But let's also not how do your people say it, beat around the bush.” He leant back in his chair and belched. “The satellite is to be used as a base for the Nova Corp. We do realise that soldiers amongst the general populace looks bad, so we did the next best thing."
"By taking someone's home?"
"We would always be taking someone's home. We learned very quickly that your species loves to complain. I was there, I was going to eat that, that is my air your breathing. So we're going to stop asking. This is not negotiable Peter, no matter who you send.”
Peter took a deep breath, “and if we say no?”
Thor snorted, “See up there?” He pointed up. “That cruiser could obliterate this satellite with a few well-aimed shots. So let's not pretend this is anything other than us asking nicely before we stop being nice. The treaty is signed, and the inclusion of Earth into the Asgardian Empire is already done. You, this place, and that wife of yours isn't going to change things, Peter. All you’ll do is get a lot of people killed trying to stop it.”
Peter leaned back, “Seems Asgard changed since last I heard about it. So, what's the real story? Carol already filled us in. Asgard defenders of freedom and peace. Now aggressive invaders? Not buying it.”
Thor laughed. “Aggressive invaders? Peter, your government asked us here. Nobody in the Empire gives two shits about a backwater planet with no real resources. Sure, there is that gas giant, but your people are so primitive you might as well throw stones at us.”
Peter rubbed his forehead, “Earth's government called you?”
Thor shrugged and lifted a chicken leg. “The U.S of A I believe, wanted more of the technology we found at that lunatic's place.” Thor scratched one of his eyebrows embarrassed. “Seems we missed some and one of your Shield scientists managed to get a message into the gal-net. And here we are.”
Peter sighed again, and shook his head, “They dont speak for the whole planet. Earth doesn't have a centralised government, it's one country.”
Thor shrugged and after dropping the now clean chicken bone began to lick his fingers. “And that doesn't matter. Once the Nova Corp and the Asgardians agreed to their terms, it soon will have.”
“And there is no way to I dunno, say no?” Peter asked.
Thor laughed, “Rule under Asgard won't be so bad. I mean, nobody else complains.”
Peter frowned. That was the problem. Was it Asgard or the Nova Empire? So far nothing Thor said made sense. They cleaned the place out, so how did they get a transmitter powerful enough to contact Asgard? Even the pager Fury had to contact Carol was a well-guarded secret and why didn't Carol know about it? Something was wrong, but he just didn't know what.
“Which is what I’m worried about. We just had someone try to take over, this might end badly.”
“Oh stop worrying Peter. It’ll be fine. But, you do have to ask your friends to leave this base. Nova training is harsh and we might accidentally damage it, and humans are so tiny, and fragile.”
Charles, he’s refusing. If you still have anyone here, get them back to Genosha. He’s thinly threatened to destroy the place if you dont.
I was afraid of that Peter, and I am also afraid I cannot let this technology fall into the wrong hands. You have five minutes to leave, I will not allow Avalon to be used for soldiers. We will make sure nothing important is left behind. None of the ADAAMs or the Arcstar reactors.
Yeah, I get that, oh and Pepper asked me to pass on a message. Genosha wasn't in the original constitution. As long as not everyone left, it's technically not part of the US. Grab it and don't move for anyone.
He could feel Charles's exasperation, If we had known we would have defended it better. That meant the Sentinels attacked an independent sovereign nation.
Peter laughed, Not a lawyer, but I do know a good one. Contact Pepper, or Shuri and see if you can get someone to sue the pants of the government.
Charles laughed. I will contact Shuri. Wakanda has a seat in the UN and can vouch for us. Thank you, Peter. I will contact you as soon as we are ready.
Peter huffed, “Fine. Uh, we need to leave though, The current owners dont like being evicted.” Peter stood. “You can stay though. But it probably won't be pretty.”
Thor looked at the food in front of him, “fine. I would like to see New York again, and maybe MJ if she is around.”
“Sure, I think she’s free, plus I've got a few upgrades since you last saw me, how about a spar?”
Thor stood and snorted, “Friend Peter. I appreciate the offer, but uh,” and Thor looked down at himself. He had his battle armour on, with the long flowing red cape and was still as buff as normal, he motioned to himself. “You are not up to an Asgardian standard.”
Peter furrowed his brow, “I dunno, seems all that food made you fat.” he said. The table was covered in empty bowls and platters. Thor had eaten enough food for ten people.
Thor looked disgruntled. “Well, maybe some after-dinner exercise would be good. You have somewhere we can fight. Maybe next to a medical centre.”
Peter laughed, “dont worry, I won't hurt you that badly.”
Thor laughed but he narrowed his eyes as he stared at Peter. The pair made their way to the ADAAM room. Charles had stayed behind.
“I will make this clear Thor. Asgard or not, Nova Empire or not We will not take an invasion force laying claim to the Earth lying down. Maybe have tried, and we are willing to take a stand.”
Thor just smiled and shook his head, “I just smile and wave my young friend, I just smile and wave.”
Charles snorted. “And yet here you are. We do not capitulate with invaders Prince Thor. As the rightful owners of Avalon, and the rightful owners of the dome you are currently standing in I say no. You may force us to leave, but there is a tactic you may not be aware of. Scorched Earth."
Charles touched the side of the ADAAM and a voice sounded. "Self Destruct initiated. Countdown set for five days."
Thor sneered but Charles stared him down without flinching. "The demolition of Avalon will take place five days from now. I suggest you are nowhere near here when we set the charges off.” He touched the ADAAM and a second portal opened and he stepped through. "I will be in touch."
I am sorry it came to this Peter. I am now in agreement that something is wrong here. Too many things are falling into place too easily. First our government, and the rest of the world. If I was a paranoid man I would say that pieces are being moved behind the scenes. While I am hesitant to force their hand, I will warn you that this may turn bloody. There are Augments who were not pleased to be chased from Earth, and they will not be pleased to be forced back.
I already know Charles, Protests have already started on Earth. Peter sighed, All I can ask is that you stay safe, and if we find out what's actually going on, that you help as much as you can.
We will Peter, but Avalon was mainly families. We are not a fighting army, you may stand alone.
Peter resisted the urge to laugh, I’m never alone Charles.
“Well, that went well. So, we can get back through here.” Peter motioned to Thor as he swiped a hand over the ADAAM, opening a portal back to the warehouse.
“Just uh, to warn you. You kinda have fans on Earth.”
