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Phase 10: We are not the best vacation spot right now

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Part 5

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Issabelle's Dinner

Puente Antiguo

New Mexico

"I'm reasonably sure he believes he's telling the truth, General," Danvers and company weren't happy with the turn of events.

First, the hammer, then someone claiming and believing to be Thor, son of Odin, appearing in the desert – all the mythological references were turning out to be a bit too much for people up the chain of command. While Thor was getting a shower, after a bemused receptionist from the local motel showed him how to use it, I was stuck answering the same set of questions asked by the same group of people.

"If he turns out to be a local or alien larper, I'll pay the bills if that's what you're worrying about. If not, put it on the diplomacy part of the budget. We can't afford to assume he's lying or a lunatic because the downsides of doing so are worse than taking a larper seriously!"

"Are you suggesting an advanced civilization might have exiled their Crown Prince on Earth without giving us a head's up first?" Danvers demanded.

"I've seen politicians do weirder and dumber things and am talking about Washington, not my other experiences." I reasonably pointed out.

"You're on point. This is all on you, Stark. Be advised that Shield is poking around. They might decide to cause trouble, especially when neither your nor that myth character of yours can prove he's an alien dignitary. Either way, he's an illegal alien, perhaps a literal one. Fury or someone else pulling Shield's strings might try something stupid," Danvers warned me.

"As you said, General, it's on my head. I'll do what I believe fits the situation as it unfolds," I switched off my phone and put it to charge. It was nice to find such features in a dinner in the middle of the desert, so to speak.

Isabella, the owner and current cashier, looked fascinated and worried at all the business her place got today. There was a platoon of soldiers putting the cook through their paces. Soon, this will likely be the first place on Earth in centuries to officially feed an alien royalty. Unless the future cover-up holds, this place will make a killing from good PR alone…

"Sir, do you think this is a good idea?" Captain Elis inquired.

"It's better than the alternatives. We can't afford to treat our guests as anything but what he claims to be. While sticking him in the middle of a military base might be best from a security perspective, it won't necessarily be the case diplomatically, and that's the angle we will play. I don't need to explain how much we will be outmatched by anyone having the technology and logistics to get to Earth from a different star system. Better be safe and look like idiots if he's a troll than offend an interstellar nation by mistreating their Crown Prince unless he gives us no choice."

"That doesn't bother you?" Elis pushed.

I took a sip of hot, strong, sweet coffee and looked at him. "Let me tell you something about my past, Captain. Once upon a time, I was a tiny fish in an ocean full of monsters. Then all I could do was survive and hope I would get a clean death. Putting up airs was out of the question. After that, when I got enough power for such things to matter, I was powerful enough to deal directly with anyone playing stupid games. A few examples were all it generally took. In that regard, I'm back in square one. Entertaining an alien larper won't injure my pride."

"It's rarely that simple," Elis noted.

"That was the cliff notes version. We don't have the time or enough alcohol for the short version. Do I need to tell your people to keep their eyes open for Shield interference? You would think something like this is too important for clashes between agencies and other such stupidity…." I shook my head in disgust.

"I'll make sure everyone is on the same page and keep an eye on the locals. We don't need some redneck causing trouble," Elis picked up his coffee and stood up.

I was halfway through my second coffee when the senior NCO of the SWORD unit escorted Thor into the dinner. Our visitor wore a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt that barely contained his muscles – it was the best we could find for sale in the town that could fit him.

"Lord Stark," Thor nodded. After a shower and getting into clean clothes, he felt more relaxed and significantly less on edge than at our first meeting.

"Prince Thor, please take a seat. We'll find something to your liking in this fine establishment."

"Mead, cooked meat, and something sweet?" Thor asked.

"I'm sorry, sir, but we don't offer alcohol in this establishment. However, we have an assortment of sweets, deserts, and dishes with meat," Isabella sounded almost heartbroken at being unable to satisfy our guest.

"No mead?" Thor sounded incredulous at the very idea.

"Local regulations," I shook my head in commiseration.

Isabella offered Thor a menu, and he quickly ordered a meal that would make a hungry Wookie very happy. As it turned out, hot chocolate was a hit that got our guests mellowed out. He had a sweet tooth or ten. He dug into pancakes drowned in syrup and nodded at me.

"You have questions, Lord Stark," munch, "So do I," munch, "Question for a question?"

"That works for me. Isabella, I will have French toast and strong tea," I turned back my full attention to Thor. At least he was eating with manners, despite the utensils appearing positively tiny within his paws. "Do I dare ask how you found yourself exiled, Prince Thor? Just in case the situation at hand has security implications for Earth."

"I told you, Lord Star, Midgard is under Asgard's protection. There should be no such security implications as you put it…." He took another bite of the pancakes, then frowned. "That should be the case anyway. You did mention incidents I wasn't aware of…." Munch… He put down his utensils, drained a cup of steaming hot chocolate, and frowned. "Depending on if my father was right about the circumstances that got me sent here and how much the Ice Giants are pissed off… They might come here to look for me if they ever know I am here."

"Prince Thor, this statement of yours raises more questions than it answers…." I trailed off.

"Fair is fair. I need to answer your question properly, Lord Stark. Be aware that I will expect the same courtesy of you," He stared me down.

"As long as answering questions doesn't compromise Earth's security, I will be as truthful as possible."

"That's fair," Thor nodded.

Was that a hint of respect that briefly flickered through his emotions?

"There was a theft on Asgard, and we found Ice Giants within the restricted area in question. My father wanted time to investigate and let diplomacy run its course. My brother and I weren't feeling particularly patient. We couldn't let such affront to Asgard's pride stand!" Thor's voice thundered, ensuring everyone at the dinner was paying attention.

Whoever was going to handle the cover-up and ensure people filled up NDAs would have their hands full.

I made a carry-on gesture. That was all Thor needed, and he regaled us with the tale of gathering his closest companions, a unit of Palace guards who agreed and heading for Jotunheim. There was a glorious scrap. The only unclear part was if the Asgardians were winning when Odin found out and arrived to end their fun or if they were about to be overwhelmed and Thor's father saved the day.

His words implied the former, yet his emotions pointed at the latter.

"Prince Thor, we did pledge to tell the truth, not to pad out our exploits," I gently reminded him.

Thor scowled at me. Anger flickered in his eyes, and the muscles on his arms bulged as he squeezed the utensils in his hands. I stared at him calmly and sipped my tea while soldiers and bodyguards shifted nervously across the dinner.

"You have the right of it, Lord Stark," Thor's shoulders slumped. "It's not princely of me to act this way," He averted his gaze. "I am beginning to think my pride and ego have a lot to do with Father exiling me. Our adventure did start as I described it, yet more and more Ice Giants were coming at us. We had to fall back when the guard began suffering casualties. When Odin came, we were close to being overrun."

I pointedly didn't comment on the idiocy of invading what sounded like a world with a small detachment of royal guard. For the Crown Prince to lead such an idiocy? There had to be consequences. I would have exiled him or worse if I was in Odin's shoes.

"Father dragged us back home, and we had a shouting match. He declared me unworthy of my title and position, stripped me of my powers, and exiled me. That is how I ended up in your desert," Thor explained. It would have been nice if it included more tactical details about the capabilities of both Asgard and these Jotun, yet, at least this time, he didn't feel like lying his ass off to look better.

"I can't claim New Mexico or any of the deserts in the state," I pointed out. "It's your turn to ask a question, Prince Thor."

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Part 6

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Issabelle's Dinner

Puente Antiguo

New Mexico

"You mentioned issues surrounding my presence? Elaborate. Back then, it wasn't like anyone could stop us when we wanted to come or go. We were worshiped as gods in places, which was…" Thor didn't finish the sentence.

I could feel his pride surge. It seemed Thor being worshiped and all the possible benefits that brought stoked his ego.

"Earth is a radically different world these days. In some respects, the nature of nations and countries has changed. There are many places where people don't appreciate strangers just dropping in without warning or permission from the government. Some racists don't like it even then. The same goes for governments. They sometimes don't appreciate figurative or literal aliens breaching their borders. Such acts make people feel insecure, and they might lash out. This might mean a direct military response to an incursion or other ways to make people's lives harder. For example, we have a problem with certain people within this country who are rabidly against outsiders coming in, even if, for all intents and purposes, the United States is a country of immigrants. In theory, exiled or not, you should be free to make yourself reasonably comfortable and pursue your dreams. That is a kind of national mythos of ours. Yet, too many people, including some within the government, are not living up to it and are proud of that failure."

"That's normal in many realms I've been to or heard of. The Nova Corps are generally the most inclusive Empire in this galaxy. Yet, even they do want to know when and for what purposes outsiders visit their territory," Thor nodded in understanding. "The Ice Giants, on the other hand, are usually hostile to outsiders at the best of times. Am I to understand there might be trouble because I am not Midgardian and didn't get on Midgard through the regular channels?"

"More or less. Notably, we have yet to have regular channels for now because this is our first friendly contact with an alien state since modern countries have existed. On behalf of SWORD, I would like to offer you a warm welcome. However, there are governmental and international organizations, like our sister SHIELD, which might have other ideas. We are making history here and setting up a precedent for future contact with people from beyond Earth."

"Politics, bah! They always ruin people's fun!" Thor scoffed and ate another pancake. "At least you have great food! I can't wait to try your proper drinks too!" The Prince's sudden bout of excitement dampened a bit. "Am I to take it that despite your position, you aren't aware of what your government would do about me, Lord Stark?"

"I would like to keep talking, figure out our respective positions, and then amicably go from there. The people I represent trust me, or so they say, to handle first contact. Those people are part of and have a voice within our government structures, however, they aren't the only ones. Others might do what they believe is best for Earth or themselves and damn the consequences. The longer things remain peaceful, the harder certain courses of action would be to justify," I finished my tea. "If you ask, I'm not thrilled being responsible for this whole thing, yet not being fully in control of my sides' potential responses."

"I am familiar with the phenomena. General Tyr often bemoans what goes in court and how it influences his responsibilities, even if he is, at best, one voice among many," Thor nodded. "Ask your next question, Lord Stark," Thor decreed and finished his pancakes. He looked at Isabel.

"Your ribs are cooking, sir. We are eager to offer you something to drink or another snack until they get ready!"

"More of this hot chocolate! In the biggest mug you have!" Thor set his utensils aside and looked expectantly at me.

"You mentioned Earth is supposed to be a Protectorate of Asgard. We need more information on this topic, given past alien incursions. Because of them, SWORD is a thing in the first place."

We were finally getting to the most crucial part of what Thor stated earlier.

"Midgard is one of the Nine Realms and thus has been long claimed under Asgard's aegis and protection. Considering…." Thor paused, obviously choosing his words well, "How far your people had to come back in the day to even think about leaving the surface of your world, much less traveling the galaxy at large. Odin decided to leave Midgardians to their own devices. I know for a fact that we came to check up on you from time to time. The last major Aesir intervention was against the Ice Giants, who were trying to take over various realms centuries before my last visit to Midgard. I am unaware of anyone or anything meddling in Midgard. Heimdal should be keeping an eye out for any issues that matter. He is all-seeing."

So baring Heimdal, whose capabilities I knew not, the Asgard haven't been paying attention to Earth for centuries, then decided that throwing Thor here as an exile in still presumably medieval times was a good idea. If I took this at face value, there was a lot of Imperial arrogance.

"The Director of SWORD, General Danvers, is the sole survivor of an alien commando strike team that wiped out an Air Force base twenty or so years ago. SHIELD, our sister agency meant to protect from internal issues, discovered and fought a subversion attempt by aliens with the ability to shape-shift." I pointed out. This wasn't the time to discuss that Earth had radically changed since Asgard decreed us a protectorate chock-full of dumb primitives.

"Skrulls here on Midgard? They've been neck-deep fighting the Kree and clashing with the Nova Corps for decades!" Thor exclaimed. He took a few moments to calm himself before continuing. "That can explain it – they lack the military capacity to spare for a proper occupation and couldn't just bomb you into surrender without forcing our hand. Taking over covertly, on the other hand? If handled carefully, it had a chance of working. Heimdal might be able to see everything. However, there are only so many hours in the day, and many things require his attention. The attack on your base is more concerning. You've obviously advanced significantly more and faster than anyone on Asgard gave your people credit for; well done!" Thor grinned at me. "However, I need to know what you mean by an Air Base being wiped out by alien commandos. Depending on the scope of the base, its defenses, your capabilities, and your numbers, it could have been anything that hit the place. From a bunch of pirates to elite warriors from one of the major powers testings the waters, so to speak."

"And here we run into those classified things relating to defense I can't speak about without clearance from my government," I noted.

"Until and unless you get such clearance, and I have more information, Lord Stark, I can't say anything more about what might have happened or who might be responsible."

Isabel brought Thor a whole pot of steaming hot chocolate, making me wonder how we would handle him when on a sugar rush.

"You said your people trust you to handle first contact, Lord Stark. Why is that the case? You now know a few things about me, yet the reverse isn't true. Who are you?"

"That's a loaded question, more than you know, Prince Thor. The world at large knows me as a famous or infamous scientist, industrialist, and weapon manufacturer. Some call me the Merchant of Death; others proclaim me a savior for ushering in the coming of the fusion age. None of that makes me qualified to handle first contact. Not so long ago, I was a different man, content to spend my life partying, drinking, sleeping with any woman I could seduce into my bed, and tinkering with what got my fancy. Then, after presenting the newest weapon developed by my corporation to this country's military, my convoy was attacked by terrorists, and I ended up in a cave in the desert as their captive."

"You need to give more details, Lord Stark. Those are dry facts, not an epic for the bards to sing!" Thor chided me.

"I don't believe my life so far has been worthy of songs, thank you very much," Not that my opinion stopped music videos from cropping up on social media…. "While in captivity, I stumbled on an alien artifact containing the memories of a long-dead general. People thought it was a fancy toy and dismissed it. For some reason, while toying with it while recovering from wounds I suffered during my kidnapping, I activated the artifacts. Those alien memories merged with my own. As a result, I am the only one people on Earth know of who has any experience in dealing with aliens of any kind. It's another question how the damn device ended up on Earth because, according to my new memories, it's from a different galaxy altogether."

"How can you be sure of that?" Thor inquired.

"Traveling across the galaxy back then was common. You could cross it in a couple of days. I remember waging galaxy-wide wars, Thor. I know the shape of that galaxy or what the nearby ones looked like. They were nothing like the Milky Way; that's what we on Earth call ours."

"Those memories, they changed you?" Thor inquired.

"As I've lived a whole other life while stuck in that cave. They did help me fight my way out, so there's that. We are our memories and experiences, and thanks to that device, I am a different man."

"That makes sense," Thor nodded slowly and sipped from the pot. "Midgard gets more and more interesting. It's nothing like I expected. And fusion? That's an important first step if I recall my lessons right."

"It's a gateway to many technologies that won't be feasible until we have operational fusion reactors and could harness the cheap and clean power they will give us."

"Yes. Midgard is about to change even more, and fast at that," Thor concluded.

"In that regard, I would be remiss in my duties if I didn't ask for official diplomatic recognition and establishing of proper diplomatic links between our people." This was going to be vital in the long run. Thor's reaction was going to be telling one way or another.

"That would have been out of the question as far as the Midgard, I remember, is concerned. The Midgard here and now? I am not sure. I don't know enough about your people and capabilities. The one you are building with fusion technology? That is another question. When I return to court, I can speak with the All-Father, and we will see. However, first, there is the issue of my exile," Thor grumbled. "I am apparently to learn various lessons before I could begin redeeming myself."

That was more promising than I feared, if worse than I hoped for.

"Do tell? What do you think you need to learn? Why do you think your father exiled you in the first place, Prince Thor?"