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Phase 11: Party crashers

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Part 3

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SWORD HQ

New York

Being the Director of SWORD was a pain on a good day. Today wasn't one of those rare occasions. Carol Danvers had to deal with aliens, who might just be rich fucks playing around with Earth, the Oversight Council, coordinating SWORD Strike Teams across the continental United States in preparation for a potential alien incursion, and now, all but certain SHIELD complications.

At least so far, Stark was living up to all the promises he made and was exceeding expectations. It was depressing the man who an alien entity might have compromised was causing less trouble than the people meant to deal with such issues in the first place.

"Fury is aware of the issue. However, he is taking advantage of it. Agent Coulson is in nominal command of the SHIELD units en route and is supposed to be as level-headed as they come. Coulson also has a working relationship with Mr. Stark, so that might help smooth over any issues," Hawley reported. As one of the Councilors that oversaw both organizations, the British woman had unique insight.

"Are you seriously telling us they will use the illegal alien excuse? What is this? A bad movie?" The Chinese Councilor demanded.

"What are you going to tell us next that you would have handled things better internally?" Akira snipped at her colleague.

"I would love to tell you all that we now have control of all our internal factions," Yen appeared deadly serious for a few moments, then grimaced. "Sadly, I can't."

Danvers had to remind herself that all these bastards were career politicians taught to steal candies from babies with a smile before they could even learn to walk. Playing poker with them was out of the question.

"I am contractually obliged to inform you that my government will take all due advantage of any diplomatic blunders our American counterparts manage to stumble into happily. We also regret any potential waste of Mr. Stark's good work." Yen continued.

"That idiocy aside, we have other more immediate issues to discuss. There's no guarantee that an alien incursion aiming at Thor from those Frost Giants will land on US soil or anywhere near New Mexico. We must assume that any airborne quick reaction force we dispatch could be significantly hindered in reaching the area in question. The same goes for Air Support." General Scudder interrupted them. As SOCOM's CO, he would provide the first reaction forces after SWORD in any alien incursion on US soil or near bases worldwide where US special forces were deployed.

"We need to re-evaluate various assumptions and combat doctrines," That admission physically pained Carol as someone who had been serving in the US Air Force for decades. Her whole branch being rendered impotent by a magic ice storm was not what they had planned. A tremendous reduction in capabilities by a sudden and unexpected ice age? Sure. A magical storm that can shred alien planes that are likely way tougher than a Warthog? Not quite.

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Issabelle's Diner
Puente Antiguo
New Mexico

"We'll have to stockpile a lot of winter equipment, among other things, just in case then," I noted after Thor finished explaining the threat that the Jotun.

"Aye, Lord Stark, that makes sense. From what I recall, you Midgardian don't handle the elements as well as we do, and even we can't brave Jotunheim's storms for long without proper protection from the cold," Thor agreed. "It's my turn to ask questions."

"As away. I'll do my best to answer."

"Tell me, or better, show me more of Midgard as it is now. The more I think of it, the more sure I am that even if you bring me to Mjolnir right now, I might be unable to pick it up due to Odin still considering me unworthy."

Now Thor felt more resigned than angry and frustrated at the situation.

"So that's a thing then."

"Someone tried to pick it up, didn't they?" Thor chuckled. "Only someone worthy could pick it and use its basic abilities."

"I'm sure Private Alba will somehow survive the revelation he wasn't worthy of Asgard's Throne."

"Most people aren't. Now, I'm included too, so he is in good company," I wasn't sure if Thor was joking, and judging by his emotions, neither was he.

"As for showing some of Earth, both the good and likely the bad and embarrassing, someone switches on the TV."

A remote appeared in Isabella's hands, and she did so. A not particularly large flat screen came to life and turned on CNN.

"This is Jonathan Heller, back from the civil war in Iran! I'm with the Fifth Armored Division, the 'Lyons of Babylon,' which just entered the outskirts of Sufian! With the town contested, the last major supply line to Tabriz is in Loyalist's hands, cutting off estimated two Divisions of Revolutionary Guard and assorted Irregular forces dug into the city. On the following day, infantry will secure the town properly and dig in, releasing the Fifth Armored for further combat operations to secure the North of the country. At the same time, more appropriate Loyalist forces reduce the radicals trapped at Tabriz!"

"You have your own problems, it seems," Thor concluded.

"I've never claimed Earth is fully united. However, I am speaking with the baking of the most powerful nations on the planet," I elaborated on my position.

"That type of fighting is more like the Kree, Skrull, and Nova Corps on the ground and unlike how proper warriors do it. While it works, it lacks honor and glory," Thor grumbled. "General Tyr might love it here," He grudgingly added. "He hasn't been a fan of what we do for as long as I could remember."

There were many exciting implications that I could reach from such a statement.

The news shifted to the ongoing fighting in Afghanistan. While that did reveal some of our military capabilities, being on the news meant it wasn't classified. If we were to establish proper diplomatic channels, Asgard would know that and much more by switching a TV in their embassy if they ever deemed us worthy of one.

"This looks like used to be what we did across the Nine Realms to keep the peace – we had to go out often and break a few heads until people got the idea that killing each other for no good reason wasn't something Father approves of. Some of them are hard learners, so we had our hands full," Thor commented while watching. "However, we seldom ran into modern weapons. While enhanced weaponry was used against us, that merely made things sporting. It was nothing like that mess…." Thor grimaced at seeing a coordinated missile strike on an advancing ANA formation that gutted it before the Taliban counter-attacked, only to get blown up by Coalition forces waiting in reserve.

Thor looked at me and nodded grudgingly. "You were right, Lord Stark, there is a place for honor, and there is a place for getting the job done. You aren't Aesir. Expecting you to fight like us would be foolish and suicidal for you. I believe you are on the right track from what I see, though you will need much better weapons and armor if you want to stand against what lies beyond Midgard. You might want to look for inspiration from how we used to wage war when our magics and technology were less developed and their meld was less potent. Or how the Kree, Skrull, and Nova Corps do it."

"I would love to see how they fight and get my hands on some of their equipment to work on," It was my turn to perk up. "You wouldn't have to have some of it that they've accidentally misplaced?"

"They haven't been foolish enough to make an incursion in Asgard territory or openly enter one of our Protectorates," Thor shook his head, and his hair followed suit like a lion's mane. "It has been a very long time since we openly clashed."

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Part 4

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Asgard

Odin used the Bifrost to depose himself within his palace, near where he could feel Frigga's presence. He used Gungnir as a walking staff, feeling his full age. The fury and frustration weighed him down. Those, combined with all the power he had to expend to smooth things over with the Jotun and to save those foolish children, meant that he needed to rest and let magic replenish within his aging body.

Friga came out to meet him, striding down a long glittering corridor with a golden gown fluttering in her wake. Her ladies and guards respectfully remained behind.

"Odin," He knew the frost tone was coming, and perhaps in part deserved it, if not for exiling Thor but letting things deteriorate to the point it was necessary.

"Wife," Odin nodded tiredly. "I am sure you'll find it pleasing that our son found someone to listen to on Midgard, of all places. He might actually redeem himself."

"You didn't expect him to?" Frigga glowered. Magic rippled around her. That was a testament to how furious she was to let it slip out of her grasp that way.

"I had many expectations of our children, and they kept failing them. Now it's Loki's turn. I'll rest for a bit, and we will see what he would do of Asgard with a small taste of the power he desires."

Do I need to tell you that you are making a mistake? It's not your throne Loki really wants," Frigga chided him.

"Perhaps that wasn't what he wanted. It is still what he desires now, and it is within his grasp with Thor exiled. We will see if he can be more than a trickster content to amuse himself with parlor tricks."

"On your head, be it then, husband," Frigga shook her head and marched back towards her favorite gardens.

A surge of the Bifrost deposited Odin within his bedchamber. Another one brought Loki to him. The King let go of Gungnir, and the weapon hovered in the air between them.

"Father?" Loki looked wide-eyed at him.

"While your brother is exiled, you will have a chance to prove yourself, Loki. Do not disappoint me." A thought sent Gungnir floating within Loki's grasp.

Odin huffed at the continued incredulity of his adopted son. A surge of magic got him out of his armor and into a set of comfortable clothes.

"Do you mind? I am tired, Loki. Go rule and prove yourself!"

Loki nodded rapidly, muttering thanks, and ran out of the bedchamber.

Children these days… To think he had to rely on a Midgardian to get Thor to begin thinking like a Prince!? What was wrong with his whole realm? Odin wondered before collapsing into his bed and falling asleep.

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Loki could hardly believe the fortune that fell into his hands. It was clear Odin was exhausted because of Thor's stunts and wasn't thinking clearly. Otherwise, he would have never given Loki Gungnir!

The old man was right about one thing – this was his chance! Loki had to remove Thor off the board while he still could, then ensure that Odin wouldn't be around to ask questions. The Frost Giants retaliating when Odin was weak and tired? He could help them get into the palace again, then blame them for Odin's assassination. Who knew, the fools might manage it as long as the old man was weak and without Gungnir!

Then a war against Jotuneim to cement his position as a ruler! There was nothing like an external enemy to unify people around a new regime!

But first, Loki had to get rid of the other people who might ask the most questions and were closest to Thor. Otherwise, Sif and the Warriors Three would be no end of trouble. Even with Thor around, keeping them out of too much trouble was a thankless job.

It was pathetically easy to whisper a few poisonous words in the ears of those four while cloaked in illusions. Confronting Heimdall and riling him up, so he would do the predictable thing in his pride took just a few brief sentences. Doing so drove the point home – these people would never fully accept him even when they didn't know the truth of his origin. He wasn't a brute like them and thus lacked respect even when wielding Gungnir and acting as Odin's regent!

All it took to rile up Heimdall was to demand the deference and obedience he was owed due to his current position! The next thing that fool was doing was watching the Warriors Three, and Sif be their typical idiotic honorable selves and openly discuss treason. Naturally, instead of reporting it, Heimdall enabled it. If the damned man weren't so valuable, Loki would have removed him already! Still, Heimdall could decide to serve properly when Odin and Thor were out of the picture. Otherwise, Loki would have to find or create a new Watcher.

He watched how Heimdall left his position unguarded, all but telling the four fools to commit treason. As soon as the Bifrost activated and moved them toward Midgard, Loki implemented the next step of his plan. He had to time things just right to see Thor dead and guide the Jotun assassins through the palace's security.

First, Loki went to the vaults and issued orders to the Destroyer. Next, he went in to summon his patsies and ensure they would make it far enough so he could plausibly blame them for his next scheme.

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Issabelle's Diner
Puente Antiguo
New Mexico

"Mr. Stark, we've got a complication. A small convoy is approaching the town fast. They aren't ours," Captain Elis. "Three SUVs, government numbers, claiming they're Homeland Security."

"SHIELD. The one-eyed pirate is poking his nose where it doesn't belong, or someone is using his assets. I have to deal with this before it can escalate, Prince Thor. Hopefully." I got up, and my legs felt stiff after sitting and talking for what felt like hours.

I could see a few curious locals poking their heads out of second and third-story windows. However, the streets were clear, thanks to all the military vehicles parked around. Two squads of heavy infantry pilled out of the diner. They took defensive positions around the vehicles, which all had crewed weapon stations. My bodyguards followed suit, and we waited for the arrival of the party crashers.

Soon enough, the three black SUVs parked at a respectable distance, then a familiar face disembarked the lead vehicle.

"Mr. Secret Agent, we meet at the strangest of places," I greeted Coulson.

"Mr. Stark, this isn't how I hoped we might meet again. Before any unpleasantries that might follow, let me say I'm a fan of what you're doing for the world, and this wasn't my idea."

"I don't see you leaving," I noted.

"I have orders, and if not me, then someone less reasonable and more trigger-happy might try to follow them. Then we might have accusations of subverted people and military units," Coulson didn't even try to hide his distaste at the idea.

"Fury is too smart to have put you up to this. More likely, he sent you to keep things from escalating while he tries to take advantage of the situation."

"I can't possibly comment on the Director's intentions, Mr. Stark. I have orders to detain and interrogate an illegal alien who might threaten national security. Certain elements within SHIELD and people who back the organization apparently don't consider your approach good enough," Coulson looked around. "A dinner in a small town?"

"It worked great until your fellows turned up. Now it's obvious that you don't want to push the issue," I nodded at all the tense soldiers behind me. "This is a game that, if you decide to play, will have only losers."

"Are you ready to order US soldiers to open fire on Agents from Homeland Security doing their job? That would put you in an extremely dangerous position no matter what the soldiers do," Coulson appeared genuinely curious to find out the answer.

"Order you bunch shot?" I put as much disbelief in my voice as I could. Did they think I was an amateur in this kind of stupid game? "Of course not. Order them to keep you from arresting an Alien Royalty we are having a pleasant chat with? It might come to that. If someone under my authority opens fire, it won't be on my orders but in self-defense and defense of their fellow soldiers."

I could feel the troopers behind me relax a fraction at my words. The respect they felt for me after observing me handle Thor for hours rose up another notch.

Coulson slowly raised his hand and showed he was holding a phone, which he proceeded to dial-up.

At the same time, I could feel the electricity in the air. The sky began to darken, and distant thunder echoed above the city.

"Hold your fire! No one shoots unless we're fired upon! This appears to be the same phenomenon that brought Thor and the artifact last night!" I shouted moments before the skies sundered. A vortex of black clouds crackling with lightning connected the street between Coulson and me with the heavens. A bright light flashed over the road, followed by a loud thunderclap.

I blinked spots off my eyes and stared at four people straight out of a medieval fair stand between Coulson and me. The street below their feet was smoking. A closer look revealed that some strange symbol was burned into it. As if that wasn't a problem enough, a bunch of SHIELD agents had left their vehicles and were using them as cover, pointing SMGs and carbines in our direction.

A tall, muscular man to the left with vague Asiatic features blinked at me, then at the soldiers behind me. He looked around and shook his head.

"I don't think we arrived at the right place," He deadpanned in an oddly accented voice.