Spider-Man. The House Of Venom

Shuri left the quartet to prepare. Given she was still Queen, there would be no dangerous missions for her without a lot of planning.

It also gave time for Blink and Kitty to enjoy themselves in the pool. The mission was planned for sooner rather than later. A Kree outpost with who knew what technology was a ticking time bomb. Selene had the good grace to enter the bathhouse and warn Kitty she would be needed, but she had at least an hour to relax. Afterwards, Peter escorted Erik and Selene back to the ADAAM. Charles would stay to discuss the plan, and what they could do to distract the Xandarians.

"You should take Jean with you. A telepath will be able to keep the guards distracted," Charles suggested.

Peter shook his head, "I couldn't feel their minds, but I'm not as strong in that department as you are. The troop's arrival should have registered to your powers. If you couldn't sense them, then I doubt Jean would either.”

“But there were several meters of rock between us, and on the Moon, I was not expecting any surprises. Cerebro was not moved with us, as I didn't think I would need it. Erik never made mention of feeling any new strange metal either.”

Peter rolled his eyes and shrugged. “And we have no idea if the Asgardians have power-blocking technology. I mean, can you even read their minds? I've tried with Thor and I can't, it's not the same.”

“You think alien minds are impossible for us to read?”

“No, I think you need practice, like learning a foreign language.”

Charles stopped, “that does make sense. So, the big question is what exactly do we do about it?”

"Make sure the base is clear, and then leave them alone. We don't know who or what is up there."

"And we can't ask the Asgardians, as they might not know either. Is it all just guessing and conjecture?"

Peter leaned back and took out his phone. “No, I have Liv analysing some blood, let’s see what she says, and then maybe call Coulson.”

“Shield? Do you not think that might be a little,” Charles frowned, “stupid?”

Peter laughed, “No, not to tell him, to find out what he knows. I'm pretty sure a powerful telepath like yourself can find out if he knows about the alien base on the moon.”

Charles grinned, “And I thought you objected to me using my powers like that?”

Peter laughed and ran his hands through his hair, “I think global emergencies count as a pass.”

“But we do also know that Director Coulson is aware of my powers, and if he is on their side, I doubt very much he’d agree to meet me. And if the Asgardians do have power-blocking technology, that he wouldn’t have some?”

Peter sighed, “That is a very good point. And I doubt he’d meet here, as he knows we’re in contact.” Peter frowned. “Maybe keep a watch out for any tails. It’s not the first time I've had to watch my back from hostile Augments. We have no idea if the Xandarians have telepaths or if any species does. But if they do, they might be using them to mask whatever they are doing.”

Charles stiffened. “That is also a very good point. I can use Cerebro to check.”

Peter straightened up, remembering a forgotten issue. “Oh, not Cerebro but uh, I was wondering if I could buy a danger room from you?”

Charles snorted, “now? You ask that now?”

Peter shrugged, “It would be a great excuse as to why you have Augments here at all hours. Without raising suspicion. Not in here though, I want it next door underground. That uh, won't be an issue will it?”

“You do realise the projection technology alone is worth millions?”

Peter shrugged, “Gwen makes that in a week.”

“And that it cannot be programmed for anything sexual,” Charles said with a pained look on his face.

Peter felt there was a story behind that, but while he grinned, he kept that question for later. “We don’t need holograms for that Charles.” He was also pretty sure that if Liv wanted it for that, she could probably reprogram it herself.

The warehouse door opened and in walked Gwen with Liv. “We got your message, and hey Charles,” Gwen said as the pair slipped into more comfortable clothes.

“So, more problems?” Liv asked and Peter nodded, “Well, that's a pity, as now it gets even more complicated.”

Liv lifted her phone and projected a slideshow to the large screen TV they had access to from the kitchen area.

“We have four samples, and we have four aliens,” she said. The four samples were side by side, with a fifth, marked Thor underneath.

“Sample one matches Thor, so we can assume that they are Asgardian or two very closely related species. Sample two matches the altered DNA from Carol, so we already know that is Kree. The problem is the last two. They are completely different again, and dont match anything we have. So, and unknown, and possible Xandarian.”

Peter sighed, “So, it's not just one alien invader but four? And the Kree. It just got a lot more complicated.”

Liv shrugged “Yes but no. Any Empire will have multiple species within its ranks. It is the Kree DNA I am worried about. Is it a defector, or are the Kree infiltrating the Asgardians as well?”

Peter shook his head, “But those were Asgardians?” He texted Felica, who was still at the Parker Building, he nodded as she texted him back. “Yup, Felicia said they were definitely all Asgardian guards.” He laughed, “Say that fast ten times.”

Liv smiled, “well, yes. So, we now have to assume the Kree are hostile."

"It makes sense they are poking around on the Moon then. If they still have records then they know where to look."

"Wait, there are Kree ruins on the Moon?" Liv asked. She was just as confused as Gwen.

Peter rubbed his forehead, “This is getting confusing. We have to deal with one thing at a time. Yes, We found a Kree outpost. Shuri knew it was there but thought it was destroyed. We're mounting a mission to investigate."

"Wow, and I thought life was getting boring. So, who's all going?" Gwen asked. She was hopeful but the small head shake from Peter meant it wasn't going to be her.

"We don't have space suits. Kitty has one, and Jean and I can both survive in a vacuum. Shuri is going as we need an expert on Kree systems. Sorry, Gwen."

Gwen huffed and crossed her arms, "It's fine. I mean, just an alien outpost, nothing cool or anything."

"Kitty's naked in the bath, you could go ogle hot women," Peter suggested.

Gwen narrowed her eyes, not amused. "You know what, I'm gonna." She stuck her tongue out childishly but still skulked off to the bathhouse.

"Very mature Peter. And I hope your plan for dealing with Coulson is not as inane."

Peter laughed, "She's fine. She'll get memories from Shuri later. But really, who wouldn't want to explore an alien base on the Moon." Charles raised an eyebrow, unamused. "Fine, fine. Find out if Coulson and the president know. We can take things from there. It won't matter if there are different groups if they are all after the same thing.”

“So until then the rest of us just sit and wait?” Charles asked as he sipped his tea.

“We can make plans, shore up our defences, but yes. If we go looking for trouble, we might find it, and it might be something we can't handle.”

Charles raised an eyebrow, and looked over at Liv, “He finally grew up?” While Liv laughed, Peter frowned and shook his head.

“We need to be careful. How is Selene and everyone on Genosha?”

Charles nodded, “We negotiated with President Ellis for its return. The plan is to allow it to become a free state until the next election. Once a new president is sworn in, we can negotiate again for our inclusion into the Constitution. But we were told that under no circumstances will Genosha be allowed to remain neutral.”

“And even with Asgard, that's still on the books?” 

Charles nodded, “In fact, other than Avalon they are keeping their word. We have already begun to receive the updated laws on Augmented, drafted by the Asgardians. We might not wish for this Peter but we are being careful.”

Peter shrugged, “Right, so. Make plans but stay low. Use Blink and sling portals to travel to gather supplies from multiple places, and wait. I’ll get a hold of Coulson, and see if I can get him to spring any more information. Sound good?”

Charles nodded, “There is one problem though.” Peter frowned, “I'm not getting Blink back anytime soon am I?” Peter could only laugh as Charles smirked at him. “Yes yes, very funny. You try herding students, especially the older ones. A private bathhouse and spa, I dont need to be a telepath to know she won't be home anytime soon.”

Peter just grinned and shook his head. “I can help it, you try getting anything nearly as nice in New York for under five thousand a month.”

“I am aware Peter, and I am also aware of what a bad influence you can be, especially on young women.”

“Yeah, not getting a lecture Charles, it's love, not peanut butter. It doesn't get thin and tasteless the more you spread it unless you make it that way. Some people can't make one relationship work, they dont get to comment on mine.”

Charles raised an eyebrow. “I was merely concerned that a young sheltered woman would be intimidated by a large group. I do not want her to feel pressured.” He set his cup down and rested his hands together on the table. “Especially given your proclivity for bathing without garments. I am aware Blink is an attractive young woman, and that she is free to make her own choices. I am also allowed to voice my disapproval at them.”

Peter shrugged. “And that's why there is a flag out. We don’t need one, but with guests, we have a system. Nobody is invited over when we’re all here unless it's for an event. You dont need to worry, we behave when other people are around.”

“While I may like it, Peter, I am glad to see that you are respectful of other people's opinions,” Charles said.

“I thought you’d be more open. Weren’t you like twenty in the Sixties?” Peter replied with a small smug grin on his face.

“I spent the Sixties being chased by a madman trying to start a nuclear war, and then by giant robots. After a lot of good people died, I drowned myself in a bottle. I didn't do relationships.” Charles said curtly. It was not a period in time he was not proud of.

Liv stared at the pair, “Yes. Egos aside, can we get back to the alien invasions, and not the who’s had the hardest life? Your stupid feud with Stark is bad enough, do not start one up with Charles.”

Peter smiled at Liv. “Sorry,” he smiled at Charles, “Sorry, I get enough crap in the press. It's just a sore point.” 

Charles waved a hand dismissively and nodded. “I understand that. It's not like I am unaware of how discrimination and rumour-mongering can be. But, we do have bigger issues than us.”

Peter nodded. “Alien base, and now multiple aliens, including the owners of said base. We need to focus on the task at hand. Coulson won't meet with you today anyway.” Peter rubbed his forehead. “But we’re going around in a circle trying to figure out who’s actually on our side, and who’s the bad guy here. If there even is one.”

Charles sighed “So, we wait, we prepare, and we keep ourselves busy?”

Peter looked at Liv, who both nodded. “So uh Liv. Can I borrow a couple of million? I’d like Charles to build a holographic training room for us.”

Liv looked at Peter, and then over at Charles who smiled and shrugged, “Holographic? The danger room Laura keeps telling us about?” Charles nodded. Liv smiled and rubbed the bottom of her chin. “Can you use it for sex?” Peter snorted while Charles rubbed his forehead.