The Iron Mandalorian and the Siege of Earth - Chapter 7
Authors note: Thank you Mystic 77 for your review, I have to say it was a rather entertaining idea to play with.
As always I don't own anything that isn't in my head.
Peter and Jess watched Tony pacing from the work bench with curiosity, he'd arrived in the lab five minutes ago interrupting their training and not long after received a call.
"With all due respect Mr President, I need to take a team and study the ships they could give us vital clues into why we were attacked."
With their acute hearing both Peter and Jess could make out the reply from the other end.
"No Mr Stark, whether you like it or not you're the public face of Starfleet to many around the world, not to mention you've got the backing of 90% of the hero community. You need to make a statement."
"I don't make statements anymore, especially not on behalf of others."
"The human race just had it's first extraterrestrial space battle, it's proof that Starfleet is a vital network between countries and as it's foremost champion you need to be at the press conference."
"I'm needed to study the alien ships no one knows alien technology as well."
"I don't care whether you wait to go yourself or send someone else but you're going to be at the press conference," the two eavesdroppers listened as the President put down the phone cutting off any last word from Tony.
"Argh, that man," raged the genius, "FRIDAY what excuses do we have left?"
"Mrs Stark expressly ordered that the excuse box protocol was only to be activated under extreme circumstances or for date night."
"Surely this is an extreme circumstance."
"Mrs Stark is reporting that this does not qualify."
"You traitor, you called Pepper," whined Tony.
"Mrs Stark is automatically notified on matters regarding the excuse box protocol." Peter swore blind he could hear amusement coming from the AI.
"Humph fine I'll go," huffed Tony, "but that doesn't mean I have to like it."
"Your displeasure has been noted and logged for future use," 'yep' thought Peter, definitely amusement.
"You two eavesdroppers," shouted Tony looking at the pair, Peter tried to look guilty as he walked over whilst Jess went a different tack.
"So you want us to go and look at the ships while you can't?"
Tony took it all in his stride, "of course you both know the most about this technology second to myself of course."
"And you trust us," added Jess knowingly.
"If you want to get into all that emotional stuff, sure," grumbled the billionaire.
"Even me Mr Stark?" Asked Peter nervously.
"Even you Mr Parker," snarked Stark, "and how many times do I have to tell you not to call me Mr Stark."
"A few more times," smirked Peter.
"Stop teaching him sarcasm I liked him meek and quiet," whined Tony pointing accusingly at Jess.
"Hey he's as much your fault."
"Calm down children," laughed Peter, "so, what's the plan?"
"Fine," sighed Tony, he waved his hand and before them appeared a hologram of a ship. "This is 'The Ghost' spacefaring headquarters of Clan Stark, it's fitted with all the newest tech for stealth, defence and research. It comes from a Pelta class assault frigate my grandparents used it in the rebellion."
"Awesome," Peter manipulated it to see inside the new ship. The bridge featured a central table which Peter assumed was holographic, by the viewport two pilots chairs sat and down either side behind them were work stations. The very rear was marked with a note saying engineering, immediately forwards of this was the living area which looked to house nearly twenty five people.
"The plan is fairly simple in principal, you two will take some techies with you to look into the ships."
"Ok any particular techies you have in mind?"
"Not really, I'll leave that to you two."
_LINEBREAK_
"This morning at 6am Eastern Standard Time, Starfleet repelled a hostile fleet which numbered thousands of aliens in total."
The canteen's television was running the 24/7 news channel which was filled with images of the destroyed fleets and the moon glowing green.
"Oh my god Mr Stark made the moon a Death Star," stared Ned as he watched the TV on the wall of the canteen.
"Hmmm," muttered MJ.
"Hey Leeds," shouted Flash, "how come Parker's not in, got too important for your nerd brigade."
"Literary inaccuracies aside for the brigade comment, yes Peter is too important he's helping Stark with that," replied MJ pointing to the television, "so yes Eugene, he's pretty important."
By now Flash had approached the pair, "so it's real then the aliens," he asked quietly, his voice showing his fear for the answer.
"Yeah Flash," sighed Ned, "they tried to attack us."
"You might want to call in sick tomorrow," said MJ, "just in case there's more." Flash nodded curtly before standing, "don't start a panic Flash we'll know it came from you," she added, Flash nodded and disappeared back to his table.
"Why did you tell him they'd be back?" Asked Ned as soon as they were alone again.
"Just a hunch," shrugged MJ, "if you're planning on taking over a planet wouldn't you send in some scouts."
_LINEBREAK_
Looking skyward at the remains of the shattered ships Thor King of New Asgard spoke, "There's a storm coming Brother and we'd best be ready when it hits."
Instead of looking to the sky Loki watched the people of New Asgard going about their lives, "have faith Brother, we've done all we can, father would be proud."
The two brothers stood on a raised bluff overlooking the citizens of New Asgard going about their day, in the background the city was dwarfed by a large building which housed everything from accommodation to the council chambers.
"I hope so," Thor looked down to meet Loki's eyes, "how is the shield did it take serious damage during the assault?"
"No the ships fixated on the Shard so it received only glancing shots."
"Good good, what of the wizard's stone?"
"He has assured me it's safe in their hands," grimaced Loki.
"And you trust them?" Asked Thor curiously.
"I find their abilities, intriguing," admitted Loki, "they make worthy allies."
"He beat you in a fight didn't he," smirked Thor.
"Multiple times," grimaced Loki begrudgingly.
The brothers were interrupted by Valkyrie coming over the bluff they stood on and standing beside them, "the ships should be refuelled and ready in case there's another attack. We lost two pilots in the initial fray and their families have requested you lead the final rites."
"Of course, it would be our honour," nodded Thor sombrely, "there is little nobler than laying ones life down for their family."
"I told them you'd say that."
"How is the doctor?" Asked Loki.
"As usual he's complaining about not being that kind of doctor but he's got the experience so he's learnt to just accept it by now."
"How is Hulk?" Asked Thor concerned.
"Oh nothing to worry about more than a little out of his depth he's not used to fixing what's broken, but since their agreement they've been working very well together."
"Good good we need everyone doing all they can with this invasion underway."
Loki took pity on Valkyrie's confused face explaining, "my brother has read more than his fair share of strategy books and he's convinced that was the initial strike by a much larger force."
"Bloody hell, just what we need," groaned Valkyrie.