When you do, you will change the world…
Don't own the Avengers or the characters of Marvel Comics, but happy to play in their backyard.
"You've been asleep Capt…"
-Nick Fury, Captain America The First Avenger
"Sharing the world has never been humanities defining attribute."
-Professor Xavier, X2
"I have to protect the one thing I can't live without."
-Tony Stark, Iron Man 3
Chapter 11—The Options
Asher
Pepper stood there blinking her eyes. She finally got adjusted to the light. There were cameras set up at the bridge and and, "Tony."
"Hey, you okay?" Tony was watching and saw that she had actually come through rather fast. The bridge seemed to be doing its job smoother today than when they came through. JARVIS was in charge of making sure everyone was informed of who came through.
"Oh yes, it was close to midnight when I left. What time is it here?"
"About eleven, we got about an hour before the others come."
Pepper gave Tony her serious look, "I thought we were all getting here at the same time?"
"We couldn't be sure that Vyock was listening in. Steve asked that you come early so he could talk about what we need to do next." Tony saw that she wanted more, "I agreed. Plus JARVIS got through to the reports about what you doing. And I can't…"
"You know you put me there. I have to finish this," Pepper put her arms around Tony and gave him a kiss. "You know I need you."
"And I need you." Tony gave her a loving kiss. "But…"
"But we need to finish this. Let's find out what Steve has to say. Suit up." Pepper's handbag began to unfold and then molded to Pepper. Her helmet came on, "I'll follow."
Tony smiled. He was impressed. His suit quickly folded around him and he arched up from the bridge site. Pepper followed.
Bruce was standing across the street from the castle. He watched the two streaks come into view.
Others around the castle watched in awe as Tony and Pepper landed.
Tony touched down first. His helmet came down. He smiled as Pepper touched down in her suit. Holding up his hand to Bruce, "It's Pepper…in her suit."
Bruce looked her over, "Fits her well."
Pepper's helmet came off, "Why thank you." She walked over to Tony, "You know, a little complement goes a long way."
"Hey, I said I liked that black sports bra look," Tony shrugged.
"Miss Potts," Natasha came over. She broke the moment. "Steve is on the throne. This way."
Pepper looked around at the buildings. The castle was glistening. The buildings around it were equally impressive. A golden tower loomed to the right. What she was sure was a temple was to the right of that.
Pepper was still interested in the background of Asher. She had gotten the report about Steve's encounter with the elder. Since then there had been no other major contact with the people of Asher. They had been told about Odin and Njord's arrival and were more than helpful with the preparations. But they had not talked about their planet or had any meaningful discussions with Steve.
She turned to Tony and Bruce, "So, what's with the Asher?"
Bruce began, "We really haven't been able to put much together. They have technology, which rivals ours and in some cases appears to be common to Asgard. Obviously the space ships used by the Chitauri, which are really of Vanaheim design, are more advanced than anything we have. They were built using elements found here on Asher."
Natasha added, "They formed an absolute monarchy thousands of years ago. Vanaheim had control of the planet before then. As best I can establish a small fleet from the tribe of Asher came to the planet before the turn over to the Kings.
"Their stories speak of the events back then. One of their sailors went a ground on an island and found some glowing material. He brought it back to the scholars of Vanaheim and that was used to power the first ships. Soon after, the sailor was made King. From then Kings of Asher have ruled the planet under the protection of Njord and Vanaheim."
Tony interrupted as they got to the door, "That was until the Chitauri came and took over." Tony opened the door for Pepper and the group.
Pepper walked in and saw Steve sitting on the Throne. Thor, Sif and the Warriors Three were standing to the right of the Throne. Rhodey and Clint were on the left side. Rhodey was pointing at the display. She saw the ships circled in red.
Steve smiled big. He was so happy to see Pepper. "Welcome. Welcome. Thank you for coming. Were there any problems?"
"I asked Ambassador McCoy to help get everything cleared and he worked wonders. I'm here with the blessings of the Security Council." Pepper reported. She had worked hard of the issue. She had personally met with four Presidents, three Prime Minsters and two Premiers. She used her S.H.I.E.L.D. staff and that back at Stark Industries to arrange it. She learned a lot about her suit doing it as she boosted at hypersonic velocities to get to many of the meetings.
Pepper walked forward to the Throne and Steve, and pointed to the ships, "I assume those are the Chitauri ships? How do we get them back?"
Steve answered, "That's why we wanted to talk with you. Thor."
"Miss…"
"It's still Pepper."
"Yes of course, please forgive me. But you understand my father, Odin, is coming to meet with you as an equal. He will certainly give you the same respect he demands and receives." Thor let that sink in.
He continued, "And yes, you are correct. Those are the Chitauri ships. They are a threat and must be captured or eliminated."
Pepper looked from person to person, "So, what is the problem?"
The elder stepped out from the shadows, "They would tell you, but are not sure. We are. The Regent, Captain Steve Rogers of Earth, must stay until we can elect a new King."
The team was completely caught off guard by the appearance of the elder. And they were all surprised at the revelation.
"Is this the problem?" Pepper looked at Steve and then Tony.
"Yes. JARVIS," Tony directed.
"Miss Potts, in every option to capture or eliminate the Chitauri ships Captain Rogers is a significant factor. In each case, his absence increases the risk of a team fatality."
Pepper stepped back and thought, "So, I'm trying to fill in here. I assume that no help can be obtained from Asgard or Vanaheim?"
Thor responded, "That is correct. Right now, the Chitauri forces would see a move by Vanaheim. The ships are connected." He pointed to the wall display of the ships. "They will be able to tell the Vanaheim ships are moving against them. And Asgard moving on Vanaheim ships is not yet possible."
Pepper understood the last point. There was too much mistrust between the two worlds. "So, I am missing one of the pieces here. How will the team go to the Chitauri ships without being detected?"
Steve answered, "We used the Chitauri fliers in our move to the Throne. We can fly them without any problem."
"And they don't produce a signature. In this case an emission of any kind. We believe we can use that on the Chitauri ships. Tony and I will be able to rewire the ships to respond to us and not give out a signature." Bruce explained.
"We'll be a ghost ship." Clint added.
"And," Pepper turned to Steve.
"If we attack ship to ship, Tony's missiles should knock out the main Chitauri controls and we'll be able to take their ships without any resistance. The problem is the location of the ships at the bottom of the display." Steve point to the display.
"It's a known Chitauri outpost," Thor pointed to the planet next to the ships.
"They will have redundancy in their control systems," Tony shook his head. "It will mean a ground battle. And that's why Steve is important."
Pepper looked around and spotted him. She went over to the elder. "Please allow me to introduce myself, I am Virginia Potts. Please call me Pepper. I am from Earth and here at the request of Odin." She waited, not sure whether the man would consider this an affront or respond.
He studied her for a moment. Standing tall he said, "I am Benjamin Ocran. I am an Elder of Asher. I will be please to call you Pepper.
"The problem with our current situation is that our Regent fills the void needed to control the fleet and protect our planet. He will fill that void until we elect a King." He knew her next question, "If one of us, Vyock or those from Asgard sat in the seat, it would not be as effective. We would be vulnerable."
JARVIS broke in, "Excuse me Miss Potts, they are arriving. Odin will be here in a minute and Njord is following."
A/N Tip of the hat again to phnxgrl, koolgirl1120 and GetMoMoney-333 and Sandy-wmd for their continued reviews. Hope you enjoyed.