Heimdal set their landing point on Midgard at a distance above the helicarrier to avoid any damage from the Bifrost, allowing Thor to set them down fairly gracefully on the deck of the ship. Having communicated with Agent Coulson earlier, their arrival is expected, and only garners a few curious looks from the deck staff.
Meeting them at the main airlock, Agent Coulson says, "Lady Anara, Thor, it's good to see you again, though it doesn't sound like your news is good. If you'll follow me, the others are waiting."
They follow him in and through the ship to the bridge conference room. Anara can sense that both Natasha and Clint have grown stronger in the Force since she saw them last. That knowledge puts a smile on her face as they enter the room.
Thor and Anara walk into a hushed conference room. The mood is somber, word that their news is not good having made it to all who attend. Anara senses a new presence at the table, two minds in one body - Dr. Banner. She gives him a slight nod of greeting as she walks towards the table. While everyone greets them, no one stands as they enter the room, but Anara is not offended, she knows this visit is not entirely welcome.
Removing her cloak and settling it over a chair, she and Thor sit. Fury, the only one not sitting, pushes off from the deck railing and comes to stand at the head of the table.
"So, you found Loki," he states matter of factly.
Thor takes the lead for this part of the conversation. "Aye, Anara and Heimdal found him on a world outside of the Nine Realms. We believe it's in this galaxy, though very far from here."
Fury nods. "And does he pose a threat?"
"It is uncertain, though we believe he has no immediate plans against Asgard or Midgard." Thor replies.
Fury looks at Anara, "I hear a 'but' in there. You wouldn't have come all the way here just to tell us you found Loki vacationing on an alien beach."
Anara takes over and replies, "While Heimdal and I were searching for Loki, I received word from my home galaxy that Darth Daeva, Empress of the New Sith Empire, has escaped from her prison cell on Coruscant and is currently attempting to find her way to this galaxy. Should she be successful and meet up with Loki, the two very likely could start a new galactic war here."
Questions fly at her all at once, voices bouncing off the conference room walls, creating a cacophony of noise. Only Dr. Banner stays silent.
Fury slams his hand down on the table. "Enough!" he yells over the din.
The room quiets down, and Stark asks the question on everyone's mind.
"Why would this Darth Daeva come here, and what chance in Hell would she have of finding Loki? He's one God in an entire galaxy."
Anara meets his gaze and replies, "Because she is my twin sister."
The room goes deadly silent and everyone looks at her in shock.
"Oh, now this is starting to sound like a bad movie remake," Fury says.
Anara smiles ruefully, knowing that should they survive this, Master Lucasoria may just turn these events into one. Anara briefly recounts the same tale she told the council in Asgard about her past. The conference room lies silent for a brief moment after she finishes her tale. Tony is the first to break the silence.
"So your sister, we'll call her Double D for short, she's the new Darth Vader? Don't tell me she likes to Force choke people too?" he quips.
Anara looks at Tony, a wicked smile on her face. "Oh, Force choking is one of her favorite, what do you call it? Pastimes..." she says. "And no, Vader never truly led the Empire. My sister IS the Empress and much more powerful than Palpatine ever was. She is no one to toy with, Stark. She could crush you in your metal armor as if you were a bug under her boot."
Tony scoffs to cover his reaction to Anara's statement. "How do you know she could crush me?" he asks.
"Because I could," Anara states simply.
Stark stares at her in surprise, but before he can get in another word, she stands to drive home her point.
"Do not, under any circumstances, underestimate my sister. If she can find allies here or worse yet, finds a way to bring the Imperial Fleet here, your Battle of New York will seem like a peaceful summer day in comparison."
Steve, concern clear on his face, asks, "So what can we do? We barely held our own against the Chitari. What hope do we have in a galactic war?"
"From what Anara can foresee, Midgard is safe for now. If Loki joins with Daeva, they will move first against Asgard and our allies. Loki will not be eager to move against you again so soon," Thor says.
"So we're just supposed to sit back and trust in the Force and hope you're right about all this?" Fury says, clearly frustrated.
"Yes and no." Anara says. She slides a rectangular piece of what looks like metal across the table to Stark.
"These are plans for small, single-person, space-capable fighters. With my help, Stark and Dr. Banner should be able to design something similar to these with your current technology. "
Stark picks up the data module and examines it, already trying to figure out how to interface it with his systems.
Clint interjects, "But that could take years of testing before anything's ready."
Anara shakes her head. "Doubtful. Between Stark's suit technology and what you already have in your current fighters, you've already got most of what you need. What's in those plans will provide the engines, laser weapons and inertial dampening technology you need for battles in space. You should have a working prototype within a year at most," she says.
Fury whispers something to Agent Coulson, who nods and quickly leaves the room.
"While I am not a fan of war, this may be what we need to convince the powers that be that the Battle of New York was not an isolated incident. However, I can't exactly tell them a Jedi dropped by to warn us because of something she saw with the Force," Fury says to her.
Thor replies, "Perhaps not, but you can tell them the warning came from Asgard. Odin too has foreseen the same possibilities that Anara has. Your people have already witnessed the destruction wrought by one Asgardian leading an army of alien warriors. I would think they would listen if you told them another such event is possible in the future."
Fury nods, already planning his speech to the directors in his head.
"Wait, how did Loki get loose in the first place?" Natasha asks.
Thor shakes his head. "We do not know. My father crafted a device that should have killed Loki the minute he tried to remove it or left Asgard, but somehow my brother figured out how to slip his bonds," he says.
Natasha mutters under her breath, "Should have killed him when we got the chance."
Thor pointedly ignores her statement, and no one else comments, not willing to start up a pointless argument.
Agent Coulson returns and whispers something to Fury, who nods and then says to the group, "If you'll excuse me, I need to go see about some funding. Stark, Dr. Banner, I trust you'll get started on working through this new technology?"
They nod, and Fury leaves the room.
"So, while the geniuses are whipping up something new for us to fly, what are the rest of us supposed to do?" Natasha asks.
Anara grins. "I have more training for you and Clint to do, and I believe Thor has a proposal for the Captain," she says.
Steve looks at Thor and raises an eyebrow.
"Aye, I do. Captain, if you're willing, we would like you to come train with us on Asgard. You're more than capable of holding your own against our greatest warriors, and I believe you would benefit from learning some of our methods," Thor says.
"Hey, how come he gets an invite and the rest of us don't." Tony asks, interrupting his own conversation with Dr. Banner.
"In due time, Metal Man. Have patience." Thor says.
Tony gives him a crusty look and resumes his conversation with Bruce. Thor returns his attention to Steve.
"Well, Captain? Will you come back to Asgard with us? Our own armies could use a fresh view on tactics."
Steve considers for a while and after an elbow and a pointed "you'd be crazy not to" look from Clint, nods his head.
"I would be honored," he says. "I'll just need some time to get a few things in order. How long will I be gone?"
Thor replies, "We return to Asgard tomorrow. You are welcome to stay as long as you wish, and you may come and go as you please."
"Alright then, I better get going. I'll meet you back here in the morning?" Steve asks.
Anara replies, "No, at Stark Tower if we can presume on Tony and Pepper to let us stay there tonight?" she says. Tony nods his acquiescence. Steve nods to everyone and leaves to get his things in order.
"So, your highness, I assume you plan on showing me how this works?" Tony asks while holding up the memory chip.
"Of course, and I was hoping as well to see your progress on the lightsaber crystal." Anara says. "But first I need to work with Natasha and Clint for a few hours. Can Thor and I meet you at Stark Tower later?"
"Sure, whatever." Tony says and turns to Bruce. "So, Bruce, want to come play? I can give ya a ride if you promise not to go all Green Giant on me."
Bruce smiles and replies, "Yeah, sounds like fun, but I think I'll catch a ride into town with Steve on a transport. It's probably safer for all of us."
He gets up from the table and holds out his hand towards Anara in a type of salute. "It was nice meeting you," he says, and leaves to catch up with Steve.
"Well, looks like we've got a plan," Tony says as he too gets up from the table. Anara stands with him and shows him quickly where the leads are on the memory chip so he can start downloading the information. When she finishes, she notices that Thor's already deep in conversation with Agent Coulson, and Natasha and Clint are talking quietly together at the table.
She walks over to Thor and Coulson and puts a hand on Thor's arm to get his attention. Telling him quickly where she'll be, she turns her attention to Natasha and Clint.
Silently she says, "Come, my padawans, we have work to do."
Both of them look up at her in surprise. She smiles, pleased they can hear her.
"How did you… wait, never mind." Natasha says. Anara removes a small ball from her belt pouch and presses a button. The ball levitates above her palm.
"It's time to begin the next phase of your training," she says as she walks out the door and heads to one of the physical training rooms. Clint and Natasha follow, grinning like little kids, their excitement palpable.
After several hours of working with the two assassins, Anara returns to the bridge to find Thor, Coulson and Fury deep in conversation. Saying nothing, she takes the seat next to Thor and puts her hand on his thigh. He looks at her and smiles, but says nothing. The three are talking tactics and possible alien allies, so she sits back and opens herself to the Force, letting the men's feelings wash over her and gauging the overall temperament of the ship.
There is still an undercurrent of fear that permeates everything. The Battle of New York is still fresh in everyone's mind, but there is also a great sense of pride and duty as well. The people here know their jobs and know they are critical to the survival, not only of their country, but of the whole planet.
As their conversation comes to a pause, Anara returns her attention to the men.
Fury looks at her and asks, "Do you have anything to add, Princess?"
She shakes her head. "Not at the moment, no. However I would like to request a transport to take me to Stark Tower if one is available. Tony will need my help interpreting the plans I gave him."
He nods. "I'll have one of my people arrange a car to get you at the landing strip."
"That won't be necessary," she says. "Your pilot can drop me off at Stark Tower."
Fury looks at her quizzically. "Stark Tower doesn't have a helipad unless Tony put one in overnight, and I wouldn't recommend parachuting in, the winds are too chaotic."
Anara smiles. "All your pilot has to do is get me within 50 feet of the balcony. It's an easy jump from there."
Fury looks at Thor, who shrugs his shoulders. "I have seen her make similar jumps. She lands lighter than an arctic cat in fine snow," he tells Fury.
"Very well then, it's your neck." Fury says.
He hits a button on a nearby console and speaks, "Benson, get a hover jet ready. Destination: Stark Tower." Turning back to Anara, he says, "The pilot will be waiting near the hover jet. I'll leave it up to you to brief him on your landing plan."
She nods and turns to Thor. "I'll see you in the morning?" she asks. He nods and gives her a quick kiss. Rising, she gives Thor one last smile and says her goodbyes.
"Agent Coulson, Director Fury, I am sorry that our visit brings such grim tidings, but it was nice to see you again." They both nod at her. Tucking her hands into the sleeves of her cloak and bowing slightly she says, "May the Force be with you," and walks out to meet her pilot.
The pilot looks at her skeptically but agrees to her plan. He's seen too much lately to doubt the word of a strangely dressed woman who landed on deck beside an ancient Viking god just a few hours before.
Anara gives the pilot a small bow before jumping off the ramp of the hover jet onto the penthouse deck of Stark Tower.
Walking inside, she's met by a very surprised Pepper who gives her a hug and says, "Coulson said you'd be dropping by, but I didn't think he meant literally!" she laughs.
Anara smiles. "I'm sorry for startling you, but I thought it would be more efficient and faster this way."
Pepper nods her agreement.
"Tony's waiting in the main lab for you. I think he's having problems with the data disk you gave him," she tells Anara as they walk towards the elevator together.
"I was worried about that," Anara says. "Though I think I can remedy that problem."
Turning to look directly at Pepper, Anara says, "Thank you for allowing me to presume upon your hospitality again so soon. I wish it didn't have to be so."
Pepper smiles ruefully. "Me too but know that you're always welcome here."
Pepper sees her to the elevator and then excuses herself to take care of other business.
Anara finds Tony cursing rather loudly as the elevator doors open to the lab.
Stepping off the elevator, she calls out, "Do I need my lightsaber, or do you have whatever beast is troubling you under control?"
Tony looks around a view screen at her, glaring. "Your data disk has given Jarvis a virus. The whole system is fucked!" he yells at her.
Anara removes her cloak and throws it over a nearby chair as she approaches Tony. She notices Dr. Banner sitting quietly out of the way with a bemused look on his face. He nods at her.
"It's not a virus. It's simply configuring your system to read the data. How long have you had it connected?" she asks calmly, ignoring Tony's deadly glare.
"About an hour. Took me almost that long to build an interface for the damned thing," he hisses.
"Then calm yourself, Tony, the process should be finished soon. The module has to learn your system and your written language. Once it's done that, the data will display in your native tongue. Jarvis and your system will be unharmed, I promise."
Tony looks at her skeptically. "It better be. Rebooting the system from backups is a massive pain in the ass."
Anara looks around the lab and finds the ever present coffee maker. Walking over, she helps herself to a cup, acknowledging to herself that she might just be addicted to the drink. She rejoins Tony at the worktable just as Jarvis comes back online.
"Jarvis, status report." Tony snaps.
"All systems running at optimal level, though I do seem to have another 100 languages added to my database," the computer says.
Tony gives a sigh of relief.
"Jarvis, pull up the plans for the Republic space fighter please." Anara tells the computer. Tony shoots her a glare but is quickly distracted by the schematics that come up on the screen. Like a kid with a new toy, Tony becomes completely focused on the plans, forgetting his earlier frustrations.
The day passes quickly into evening for Tony, Bruce, and Anara. Chinese takeout sits mostly ignored on the workbench as they talk through issues Tony sees with implementing the designs for an Earth version of the space fighter. Early into the next day, they're well on the way to having most of the kinks worked out when Pepper's voice comes across the intercom.
"Hey you guys. Steve will be here in an hour, and Coulson just called to say Thor's on his way. You might want to wrap things up," she says, signing off before any of them acknowledge her message. They wrap up their discussion on the merits of alloying aluminum with valadium for the skin of the craft and start heading towards the elevator when Anara realizes she hasn't asked about the status of the saber crystals.
As if reading her mind, Tony stops short of the elevator and turns back, talking over his shoulder.
"Bruce, go on ahead, we'll be up shortly." Banner nods and enters the elevator alone. "It took some tweaking, but I think I've got the crystal matrix stabilized."
Anara follows him to the far back of the lab where a narrow arm-length box glows softly. Inside Anara can see a clear crystal about the width of her thumb forming between two opposing glass rods. Nodding to herself, she looks at the attached monitor and checks the read-outs. She smiles. Tony's done it.
"Everything looks perfect," she says. "Once it reaches the size specifications I gave you, you can remove it from the growth chamber. Place it in a lead-lined box. Under no circumstances are you to place it in a light saber handle."
She fixes her gaze on Tony and uses the Force to reinforce the importance of her instructions.
"Only a Jedi can do the final assembly. Anything else will result in disaster. Do you understand?" she asks.
Tony nods. Anara can sense some resistance to her instructions but knows he will follow them. Leaving the lab, they head upstairs to meet up with Thor and Steve.
They exit the elevator to find Thor, Steve, and Pepper chatting on the penthouse balcony. Bruce is nowhere to be seen. Anara silently calls to Thor, and he turns, smiling at the sight of her. He meets her near the bar and enfolds her in his arms.
"You look pleased. Were you successful?" he asks quietly.
She nods, smiling up at him. "Yes, and Tony has been able to create a saber crystal."
He nods, hugging her once again, then taking her hand, they join the others.
Steve leans against the railing, staring out over the city, a man-sized duffle bag at his feet, his shield propped up against it. Anara can tell he's nervous and a little apprehensive at leaving his home. She gives Thor's hand a gentle squeeze and leaves his side to talk to Steve.
"Your city lies safe, Captain. I sense no immediate threats to its citizens. They will be well while you're away," she says quietly, joining him at the rail.
The sky begins to lighten, turning a pale orange. Steve remains silent for a few moments then turns to her.
"How can you be so sure? What is it about this Force you talk about that makes you so certain?"
"To be truthful, the future is never completely certain, but the Force gives a Jedi the ability to see the range of possibilities, and for now, your world is safe from outside trouble," she tells him.
He shakes his head, still not completely convinced. Changing the subject, he asks, "So what's Asgard like? Is it as barbaric as its people?"
Anara smiles and shakes her head. "Asgard is beautiful and peaceful. I admit, its people can be a bit rough around the edges, but they're honest and kind. I think you will enjoy your visit."
Their conversation is interrupted by Thor calling to them. "My lady, Captain, it is time."
They rejoin the group and Thor addresses Steve.
"Stay still while in the Bifrost. It is a little disorienting the first time you travel it and moving around makes it worse."
Turning to Pepper and Tony he says, "I am sorry we came bearing bad tidings, but we have warning, and Earth is safe for now. Be well, my friends. We will talk again soon."
Anara bows slightly to Pepper and Tony before Thor says, "Brace yourself, Captain," and they are swept up by the Bifrost.