Chapter Eleven
Alyndor
Andromeda Orbit
The technology on the ship was incredible beyond words. At first the holographic interfaces simply reminded him of his own tech and he was fairly confident that he would be able to control the ship through them. When that turned out to be untrue he was frustrated beyond words. Not just because his bargain with Loki was about him being able to drive the ship, but also because there was technology in front of him he couldn't access or control. Then bamm! DNI.
Sure the energy weapons were interesting, quite interesting and Tony planned to take a closer look at their workings, because they seemed to be so very different from his repulsors and unibeam, but just as effective, so even if he did not make weapons anymore he could use the tech in it for something else, maybe even for his suit. He also still wanted to figure out how the ship compensated for zero gravity, he had some theories, but he needed confirmation. That was also tech he could use in many different ways, oh the NASA would eat out of his palms if he offered such tech to them… not that they weren't already with the satellite software he made for them a few years back. He was also pretty sure that the ship had more advanced solar cells than the ones on Earth, so that was also something to look into. And he didn't even have time to check yet whether there were any air or water filters installed. It would make sense. Who would want to carry around an immense amount of oxygen and water when one could simply clean and circulate everything? He couldn't wait to take a closer look at those as well. These were all awesome, but the DNI… oh the DNI was the beautiful cherry on the top of this technology cake. He was going to reverse engineer the hell out of this ship. Oh yes.
He wanted to spend more time to explore the main computer and the ship's systems, because it was such a new and incredible way of interacting with something. The first time he activated the band his mind was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information simply being tossed at him. Then he managed to focus and it was glorious. The language was not a problem anymore; the DNI did not project words in his mind, but concepts and pure data. It was strange, but he suddenly understood what Loki meant with the All-speak. It had to be similar. He still could call up displays, but he did not need them, they were obviously for other crew members, so that the commander could focus on being in contact with the main computer, while slight changes could be made by others. Similarly to the way Tony changed their course without the DNI. It was truly amazing. It was similar and nothing like being in his suit at the same time. Similar in a way that he got visible info as well and he just knew that he was connected to the ship and could change things easily, but different because he was not this connected with the suit. He did have plans to work on something like this, a more effective control system, but he was still far away from this level of tech.
All in all, he felt better than he did in a long time. He was still far away from home, there were still many dangers lurking around, but this lifted his spirits. He could think about the future again. He was actually thinking about what to work on and how he could use things. Oh the DNI would make his suit so much better he had no words for it. He longed to have JARVIS with him, he could hook him up with the main computer of the ship, which was highly advanced, but did not have an AI. That's why a commander was needed of course. The possibilities in combining this alien tech with his own inventions and innovations were endless and almost mind-blowing.
He would've stayed in the main control room exploring the ship if not for Loki interrupting him. Since he already felt the edge of a headache coming up he decided to continue with this exploration later. He still needed to adjust to the DNI, so overdoing it would do more harm than anything. So he explained to Loki how the DNI worked, how it linked one directly to the computer, how information was transferred between the commander and the ship. The god looked intrigued, even if he frowned whenever Tony used long technical terms, those probably didn't translate that well with All-speak. The god of course wanted to try and see for himself. Tony objected at first, but then Loki told him not to be greedy with his new toy and took the DNI away from him.
What followed was long hours of agitated argument, because Loki could not make commands to the ship. He understood the incoming data well, so probably Tony was right about it being similar to the way Loki understood all languages, but he couldn't give commands to the ship. It made him angry of course, that some infernal machine dared defy him or something. First they were just arguing. Tony tried to explain to him how computers needed clean data and that Loki had to focus on that to be understood. Loki complained that the ship was too stupid to understand him.
Then the arguing turned to a discussion and after who knows how long they reached the conclusion that Loki as a magic-user perceived the world completely differently, could sense energies and workings that were invisible for non magic-wielders, thus his entire though-process was fundamentally different from what was needed. The discussion turned really interesting at that point. Tony explained that by programming, and mainly by creating JARVIS, he was more than familiar with the inner workings of computers, including how data process worked and what would be easily understood and what would be confusing and result in errors. Loki's way of thinking was too abstract and he couldn't follow the same logic the computer used.
It was like someone tried to solve a mathematical equation based on the frequencies and wavelengths of the colour of the numbers. Tony could solve the equation, the computer needed the equation to be solved, and Loki knew the answer, but not because he solved it, but because there was some sort of big cosmic power that stored all answers and Loki could hear its echoes and tap into it. That was the point where the metaphysical side of the discussion became too much for Tony. He ended the debate by telling the god that yes, his way of thinking was too different for it to be compatible with the computer, but of course he could learn it, he would only need time and focus, he would have to adjust his thoughts to the computer. Loki dismissed the whole thing then, saying that it would be a waste of his time to learn how to simplify his mind, because Tony could control the ship. Tony didn't correct him, that Loki's mind was not more advanced than Tony's, simply different. He already realized that a little ego stroking would bring him a long way and made Loki easier to deal with. And it's not like Tony had to lie, because it would be hard to deny that the god was indeed very intelligent.
x-x-x
They ate after finishing up in the main control room then walked down to the cargo hold to do the little search-through Loki had been demanding. The cargo area was just as large as Tony remembered it to be. They started their search on two different sides and called out whatever they found.
'I found some food… I think,' Tony started.
'Here are some sorts of chemicals in barrels, I know not what kind,' Loki called from the other side.
'How much?' Tony asked.
'Five barrels. We should probably not open it.'
'Wise choice, it could be poisonous,' Tony answered as he went over the stuff. 'Found more of the same probably food-like stuff. You know, there's probably a list somewhere, telling us what they've been transporting.'
'Not if they acquired their cargo in less than honourable ways,' Loki answered. Tony didn't reply, because it was a possibility.
'Found some large tools,' Loki said then. 'Again, I know not what they could be used for.'
'I'm gonna take a look in a sec,' Tony told him while he opened another large crate. 'I found… no clue what I found.' He reached in an opened one of the smaller packages that were inside. 'They look like glass bullets… but I don't think it's actually glass, only similar.'
'Do they glow?' Loki asked.
'No.'
'Then maybe they're empty shells… I did see some weapons before that were loaded with small glowing cylindrical shaped objects.'
'Maybe,' Tony agreed putting the package back. That was also something he would have to look into.
'Stark! Come here!' the god called and Tony hopped down from the crate and walked over.
'Yes?'
'Look at this,' Loki said and Tony looked into the crate.
'Some metal?' He asked. There were sheets of metal inside the crates, obviously prepared for manufacturing. It had a very deep red colour, almost black if shadow fell on it.
'Not just some metal. It's alyndor.'
'What?'
Loki sighed. 'That is the name of the metal. It is very rare in the Nine Realms and very valuable.'
'That's not good, is it? How valuable?' Tony asked.
'Very, in the Nine Realms most of if can only be found in Nidavellir and the dwarves greedily protect their stocks.'
'Dwarves?'
'Not now,' Loki stopped his line of questioning.
'Okay, what makes it so special?' Tony asked instead, but he would definitely ask about the dwarves later.
'It is very light, but strong, perfect to forge light armours or blades, but what really makes it unique is that it is one of the most perfect metal for enchantments.'
It was Tony's turn to sigh. 'Okay, we're back at Dungeons & Dragons topics… explain.'
'Every armour, helmet, blade or sword is but a piece of metal and while one can do considerable damage with a piece of metal, it would be hardly enough to wound a god or other immortal beings, or to protect you from one. Enchanted weapons cut like no other blade could, enchanted armour can protect you from attacks no metal or leather ever could. But not all metals are suitable for enchantment. The dwarves are the best at crafting magical weapons and armoury, but not just because of their skills, but because they have the best materials.'
'Okay, and this metal here is really good for making magic weapons.'
'Or anything else.'
'How much of it do we have?' Tony asked.
'I already counted twelve crates, but I think the next few rows are all containing this.'
Tony ran a hand through his hair. This was not good.
'So you say the owner might want this back, huh?'
'Yes, possibly.'
'Great,' Tony looked around the hall and thought about it for a second. 'Wait… rare metal used for weapons and armour, empty bullets, chemicals, rations…' he looked back at Loki. 'I think they were heading to a war zone.'
Loki looked around as well, looking at the crates. 'I think you may be correct,' he agreed. 'The Skrull Empire is rather unstable right now, there's anarchy in many systems. There could be hundreds of armies clashing as we speak.'
'And we're heading that way? Why?' Tony asked.
'Because believe it or not, chaos is our friend, it is a lot easier to hide or disappear in a revolting crowd than in a peaceful place.'
'It's a lot easier to die in one as well,' Tony remarked.
'Not if we play our cards right… we have a lot to bargain with so it seems. A war is an expensive matter and all sides will be in the need of supplies.'
'But you wanna keep the metal,' Tony said.
'Yes,' Loki answered without hesitation. 'Such valuable materials should not be given away.'
'Okay, let's see what else we got then.'
Loki nodded and they went back searching through the cargo. Tony was right about the warzone thing, because they found medical supplies, smaller toolkits, all kinds of hygiene products, more chemicals (maybe fuels), barrier materials, obviously for tents or camouflage, clothing material, and things that Tony recognized as repair parts and components, he had no idea what kind vehicles they were for though. Well, they may have been at a completely different side of the universe, but war was war and armies needed the same things everywhere. The only thing they did not have were weapons, sure they had the empty bullets and the alyndor, but no actual guns or explosives. Tony was kind of grateful for that. They already had enough weapons to protect themselves and there was no way in hell he would start trading with some again. But the cargo all-in-all was really something they could barter with. There were always places, especially places struck by war that needed medical supplies or food or anything.
'Stark,' Loki called. 'I found a door here.'
Tony climbed down from the top of the crates he was walking on and went to the god. They found the opening mechanism without trouble after a few moments and Tony just stared for a while after the huge doors slid open.
'Does this belong to the ship or is it part of the war supply?' Loki asked.
'Well, it certainly has some big guns on it,' Tony remarked and walked inside. Said thing looked like a plane, about the same size as the SHIELD quinjets and there were some impressive guns under each of the wings. Definitely not just for space travel but normal flight as well, the wings would be terribly redundant for space use only. 'Maybe it's a small transporter, so that they don't have to land with the main ship unless they have to move large cargo. I mean taking off from a planet with a ship this big, getting out of its atmosphere and gravitational pull, it burns energy like crazy. It would be a waste to land with the main ship for small things.'
'Whatever it is,' Loki said walking closer and looking at the plane. 'It's ours now, it will be very useful.'
'Yeah, we're gonna need those guns when whoever all this stuff belonged to starts looking for it.'
'I would not worry. One shipment will be missed yes, but whoever it belonged to certainly has bigger problems than hunting it down… like fighting a war.'
'So they won't have the resources to search for it.'
'Probably not, or when they do start looking for it, we will be already far far away.'
'Is it me or are our chances looking better and better?' Tony asked then. He was also by the plane now. They should probably check it out on the inside as well.
'Indeed.'
'We might actually make it,' Tony said. It was kind of only sinking in now. They had a ship, with incredible tech on it, they had supplies, they had weapons, they had a plenty of stuff to use for trade if they had to and now they even had a smaller extra plane.
'Was there ever any doubt?' Loki asked.
'Uhh… yeah!' Tony told him and Loki actually huffed out a laugh.
'Come! Let us see whether I could fly this thing or if it also requires some simplistic computer mind.'
'I knew it bugged you that you can't control the ship.'
'Be grateful that I cannot,' Loki told him as he found the entrance to the ship and opened it. He was learning fast when it came to tech. 'If I could… what would I need you for?'
It almost sounded like a threat, but his tone was light. Tony felt confused for a moment, but then he started to realize. Loki was in a good mood. All the things they found in the cargo, made their chances to get back home considerably better. Maybe especially the alyndor was the cause of it, rare metal that was good for magic use. That tone, that glint in his eyes… Loki was just as eager to take a closer look at the metal and do something with it as Tony was about the DNI and the rest of the tech he found on the ship. He shouldn't be glad that he had something in common with some world-dominating crazy god like Loki, but it would help to keep up this truce between them and that was a priority compared to what Tony personally felt about the whole thing. He could agonize about it once he was home, once he had Pepper by his side, her smile to look at every morning, JARVIS answering his call, Rhodey to have his back when things looked bad… just home. Right now he only had this ship and Loki, that's how he would get home and whatever helped to do so was okay.
'Stark! Come already!' Loki called from inside the plane. Bossy little bastard, but Tony followed after him all the same.
x-x-x
