Lone Star Lake
Cars, pick-ups, and SUVs were parked around the lake, the sound of a boisterous party coming from within.
It looked like the whole town had turned out. Locals sat on lounge chairs, drank beer from coolers, laugh and talk. They watched the center of the crater, where large men had formed a line to take a turn with the mysterious object.
One of them broke the ice with an axe. He dove into the water, caught hold of Excalibur. As he let go, he returned to the surface with a blackened, frost bitten hand.
The next man stepped up and dove in, this one wearing gloves. He came back up with gloves shredded and blackened fingertips.
Other Townies snapped pictures of the scene with their cell phones.
They heard an approaching rumble, then cleared a path as a large pick-up truck backed its way down the lake's edge. An eager townie hopped out the passenger side and pulled a thick chain from the back of the truck.
He lowered the hook into the water and fastened one end around the object, then securely affixed the chain to the bumper and the rear of the undercarriage.
"This'll do it." The townie said.
He yelled to the driver. "Okay, let 'er rip!"
The townsfolk watched as the pick-up's engine roared, then strained, its wheels spinning futilely, until finally the rear of the truck, along with the back wheels and axles, broke off and went flying. It was frozen solid, as was the rest of the truck and the chain and hook.
People dove out of the way.
The townsfolk laughed, the party continuing. They didn't notice as -
Entrance to Lone Star Lake Park
An imposing government vehicle pulled up to a stop. A Fed in a suit climbed out, peered down at the boisterous gathering below, his eyes fixed on the object at the center of the lake.
He was SHIELD Agent Coulson. He stared down at the object which glowed with an otherworldly blue energy - Excalibur. He pulled out a phone.
"Sir - we've found it." Coulson said.