Chapter 343: Arc Twelve. Chapter Three-Hundred Forty-Three. Under Your Skin
Coulson flicked through the report, and he wasn't happy, "So, Peter has been seen with the leader of the Augment movement, Charles Xavier, a lot of building work has been going on, and we have reports that four guards, sorry, ex-guards were taken out by one of his associates. Is that right?"
Thor nodded, "but in their defence, she is very attractive and the non-fraternisation rules in place were rather strict."
Coulson sighed, "and they were there for that exact reason. Did they say anything?"
Thor shrugged but shook his head, "apparently she got them blackout drunk, and they never left the bar they were at."
Coulson tapped a finger on his desk, "something doesn't add up. If she didn't interrogate them, or steal any passcodes then what? I didn't think Peter was the sharing type." and his phone went.
He sighed, "Coulson. Sure, send him in."
As he laid down the handset, "it's Parker. Behave, and no lip."
Thor laughed but touched his face, pulling an imaginary zip and throwing away the key.
As Peter was shown in Coulson stood and Peter shook his hand, giving him a small smile, Thor stayed seated and just grinned.
"Peter, so, what do we owe this pleasure?" Coulson asked,
Peter looked at Thor, and then at Coulson, "Uh, I wanted to let you know about the Augments. I know you've got people watching us, not so subtly, but we're having a new facility added, nothing dangerous, and once it's built, you can come and inspect it. It's a training room designed to withstand Augment attacks. We have a few in the warehouse and they need a room that'll survive their training."
Thor looked over at Coulson who leaned back, "And this couldn't be an email?"
"I wanted to ask what Asgard's final plan for Earth was before I speak to Shuri, and with Thor here, I guess it's a good time."
Coulson sighed, "Peter we've been over this. Asgard has no plans for conquest, and neither do the Xandarians. We're being brought into a greater collective, and one that's needed."
Peter smiled, "The Kree right?"
Thor looked at Coulson, "Carol?" and Peter nodded, "The Kree are the main issue yes. They began an aggressive expansion of their territory, and it was only the intervention of Carol last time that saved the Earth." Thor explained, "but they took it out on Xandar, and ultimately will head back here. The Asgardian forces throughout the galaxy are heading them off, but we can't stop them forever."
"So, you bring Earth in, train a bunch of Augments or share the Super-Soldier formula, and give yourselves an edge?"
"There are several species in the cosmos that are infinitely more powerful than even a Hulk, Peter, but yes. We had hoped to replenish our forces, as well as our vibranium."
Peter sighed, "asking or taking?"
"Asking, but if the answer was no, then taking," Coulson answered.
Peter nodded, pursing his lips, "that's all I wanted to know. When you speak to Shuri, ask nicely, if not, then we will take a stand against you." Peter stood, "This would be easier if you were open from the start" and Coulson's hand went to the back of his neck
"You son of a bitch," he spat, lifting the damaged Iron Halo from his neck, "Xavier?" and Peter nodded. "You know trust goes both ways."
"You smuggle more alien species onto the planet, and you think we'd trust you?" Peter asked him glibly. "That Shield doesn't have a history of hiding its true face until it's too late?"
Coulson raised an eyebrow, "We have a more open policy now, and since Hydra have more checks in place to make sure it doesn't happen again."
Peter leaned forwards and angrily tapped a finger on the desk, "You lie about Wakanda, about the Asgardians, and now this. You really thought I wouldn't investigate and take what you said as the whole story. You thought that we'd roll over and take it?" he tapped his finger on the desk again. "You're damn lucky I disabled that and Charles didn't just melt your brain to get the answers we wanted."
Coulson sighed and slumped back, rubbing his forehead. He paused and looked over at Thor, "Anything else?"
Peter nodded, "We took blood samples, and there are more than just Asgardians and Xandarians on Earth. What species are here, and what agendas do they have?"
Thor shrugged, "We allow many different species to work for us, and the Nova Corp allows all member species to join, assuming they pass their little test. Who we brought is of no matter. Everyone on Earth is working with the Asgardians. There is no secret agenda" but there was a small hint of worry on his face
"No, you're wrong, because right now people are scared. We just had a lot of bad things happen, and then you guys show up. Showing people that the big bad aliens are more ET than Predator goes a long way to getting them on your side."
Coulson sighed, "And that was what Ms Hardy was after. She didn't interrogate them, she took blood."
Peter could only shake his head, "We needed to know how many aliens we were dealing with, and even hijacking four of your guys was risky enough."
"On that, I am going to need that information back Peter. You've compromised our operation, and this little stunt didn't help either." Coulson looked down at the damaged Halo, "when you shook my hand?" and Peter shrugged as he nodded, "damn, these were expensive and not as good as we thought."
"Well, you should have used the originals and not Starks. While they are the same, he used an idea of mine."
Coulson laughed, "Those were built by you. We stole the design."
Peter shook his head, "Then you got what you deserved."
Coulson shook his head, "so, are we good?" and Peter nodded, "and the Augments?"
"That I can't answer, you need to speak to Charles and deal with Erik. They are angry and afraid. In fact, you know what, Charles is nearby, why dont you actually stop using and speak to him, so he can hear your reassurances."
Coulson paused for a second. "I dont think that's a good-" but it was too late.
Charles walked into the meeting room, smiling as he walked right past the security and the secretary outside, and sat down next to Peter,
"It never is, but I did warn you all at the trial, that we will not go gently into that good night Director Coulson, and you didn't listen. Now we both have a problem. I have a colony of frightened and angry powerful Augments, and you have to make sure that Erik doesn't take that anger out on the American People, or your little Asgardian friends."
"We tested the alloy they use, and we dont think," Coulson began,
Charles interrupted him, "no, you didn't," he said slamming his hand down on the table. "If Erik is in contact with the metal long enough his power will adapt. He learned, that magnetism is part of electromagnetism, and as such he can control any metal, magnetic or not through its electromagnetic properties. Do you think that 'oh your powers dont work so we're safe' is a good reason to anger us, Do you think that there isn't a line? Because you are dangerously close to finding out just how near to that line you are."
Coulson leaned back, and sighed, "so, how do we fix this? The Asgardians are right. When the Kree come, and they are already angry at Earth for the last time, we need a unified front. So, what are your terms?"
"Well, refunding us for Avalon would be a start, and sovereign rights to Genosha in perpetuity is a nice gesture. As well as several guarantees that any Augment laws we enforced from Avalon are kept that way. I will talk to Erik, and if, If he agrees, then he will bring a list of his own to this table." Charles started, "But most of all I want guarantees that this will never happen again. There is a limit to even my patience."
Coulson relaxed but still took in a sharp breathe "You know most of that goes over my head right? Even President Ellis cant simply sign away a territory. The Asgardians only want peace, and we can make sure everyone gets what they want."
Thor nodded, "Asgard can agree to that, and maybe offer diplomatic trips to show Earth the wider galaxy. We do have some nice planets, plenty of beaches, beautiful women." Thor saw that Peter's eyes had lit up, "Now I think about it, that Peter is now barred from. Save some for the rest of us, yes?" Thor said with a smile,
Coulson snorted, "I think we should keep him on the planet. We dont want to start an intergalactic war if Peter seduces the princess of some empire. Loki is still off-world right?" and Thor laughed and slapped Peter on the back,
"Loki is conducting diplomatic missions with the Skrulls. She is safe," and with another slap, "for now. Maybe I should start calling you brother?"
Peter just shook his head, at least it was better than philanderer, "Joking aside. The blood, To appease everyone, how about letting everyone know there are more than just Asgardians on Earth. And your secret moonbase as well."
Coulson looked at Thor who shrugged, "That is a new colony, we were hoping to share the planet but as you said, the recent events showed us that humanity is not ready for the more inhuman looking aliens. I am accepted as I am, what was it that woman called me,"
Coulson rubbed his forehead, "a beefcake."
"Ah yes, Your press was very insistent on mentioning my physique. And now I know why. Augments, Enhanced, even your own people are ridiculed and mocked for looking less than perfect. We have allies that need to hide amongst you but would prefer not to. So yes, they hid, and we are not happy they had to."
Charles shook his head, "and you could have asked. Avalon is host to a number of physically different Augments. Not everyone remains entirely human-looking when they gain their powers, and they are all welcome."
Thor snorted, "the last time the Skrulls were on Earth they were attacked and killed." and Coulson coughed,
"We didn't know, and we did sort it out," Coulson added,
"Yes, you did, after many Skrulls died. They could not take the risk, not after being hunted by the Kree."
Peter leaned back, rubbing his forehead, "and if we power Avalon back up, and let the Skrulls meet some of the more physically different Augments, will they be happy?"
Charles sighed "I know they will be happy to return to their homes, but this is getting ridiculous. I can understand, but we are being used as pawns in your games, and I can only take so much."
"Right, so that's three, what about the fourth?" and Thor looked at Peter,
"Four? There are only three members of the alliance Peter. Asgard leads, the Xandarians are our allies, and we are searching for a proper home for the Skrulls."
"We got four different samples, do you not have Kree with you as well?" This game of cloak and daggers had gone on long enough, and maybe it was time to lay everyone's cards on the table.
Thor stood, "Be very careful how you explain yourself, Peter. This is no joking matter. The Kree wage war on the alliance. There are no traitors amongst their people, it is their greatest dishonour to betray their Supreme Intelligence."
Peter raised both his hands, "we took blood from four guys, and one partially matched Carol, who is part Kree. It was the only match we got."
"Those bastards. You must show me, right now." Thor roared, "if there are Kree infiltrators then the Earth is in danger."
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