Disclaimer: Goes without saying but I do not own Bruce Banner nor the Hulk nor any other Marvel character herein included. They're the properties of the original creators as dictated by official documents, whom you can find out more about in Wikipedia or something. Stan Lee, Marvel Comics, etc.

The Anolians and every related character/lore are invented by me, as is the overarching plot, but obviously, I don't own it. Still Marvel.

Rating: T for a bit of violence. I censor profanity like they would in a comic, if I ever use it.

PART 4: Over and Out

"So. They believe this Unseen is a threat to the whole universe, and that their gods are standing in the way of whatever that is."

"Plural," said the Wonder Man. "I think the Unseen are a group?"

"Right," Carol said. "The Chosen receive these gods, so the gods might actually be some kind of power?" Carol asked. "Magic, maybe? I hope it isn't magic. I hate magic." She didn't like having such a democratic conversation, but Carol was really unsure how to unpack everything they had been told. She needed the discussion to avoid making mistakes.

"It sounds like madness to me," Sunfire said, and Carol winced at him disapprovingly.

"If we want to resolve this peacefully, Sunfire, we have to be respectful of their beliefs and customs. Also, that's not a helpful comment to make in a discussion."

Sunfire scowled at her again, displeased. "Their beliefs and customs are irrelevant. These rebels want to rule, that is all there is to it. We find them, we take them down, and this whole thing is over."

"Well, I'm inclined to believe they're right about the Unseen," Geena said with an easy shrug. "I don't see why else I would be here. It can't all just be fiction. If there any threat that goes across timelines, it's got to be this Unseen thing. A threat to the universe, they said."

"Things," Wonder Man added, absent-mindedly. "Really think it's plural."

Carol had to agree. The mere presence of Geena indicated there was more to all of it, or that it was exactly as described. She really doubted it would be anything less. It was never less.

"Let's just find these rebels and see what they have to say," Nova commented, even though he seemed distracted by a row of blooming flowers that were being used as a spiral staircase around a tree. He seemed very fascinated by the planet. "Didn't you watch Star Wars? Rebels are usually the good guys."

Carol made sure not to chuckle at that, scoffing instead. She had decided on how they would proceed.

"Wonder Man will stay back and keep an eye on these guys. Official reason is for protection, but I really don't want to be blindsided by some attempt at genocide or by some order to tail us and then attack the rebels. That always happens just when we're about to solve everything peacefully."

Some chuckled, but it was nothing disrespectful, so she let it slide. It felt like a nice thing but also worrying. She wanted them all to be ready for anything, not just having a good time.

"We'll keep watching the ship," Rhodey said through intercom, "be careful out there. Plant life's just as dangerous as anything when it's this size."

"Thank you, War-Machine, we'll be fine," Carol said, trying not to sound patronizing. "Everyone else, we're going to find these rebels. Sunfire with Nova. Geena with me. How's your oxygen?"

"Several hours left," Geena said through the sound box in her helmet, but happily.

"Alright. Let's go." Carol grabbed Geena, and they departed, flying up and away at great speeds.

"Wooo, this is kind of fun," Geena said enjoying the flight. Carol could see the streaks left behind by Sunfire and Nova, so she didn't respond.

She noticed how they parted ways and squinted her eyes. "Nova, Sunfire, why did you separate? Over."

"We'll cover more ground," Nova replied in her ear.

"No, stick together. That's an order. Over?"

"An order?" Sunfire asked, and then he cursed in Japanese.

She frowned and answered in Japanese as well. "Yes, an order!" She spoke the rest in English since she didn't know the grammar in Japanese. "Stick together and let us know if you find anything. Over and out."

"I have the translator, you can talk in whatever language you want," Nova said, helpfully.

Carol winced, annoyed she had forgotten about that. It was obvious since that had been how they had communicated with the Anolians. "Nova, I said over and out, don't stay on radio! Over and out."

"Uh, right, sorry. Roger and uh, Out? Yeah."

Carol took an exasperated breath, ignoring Sunfire's mumbling protests. What mattered the most was that she saw their trails coming together again.

"Man, you need to mellow out, Carol." Carol squinted down at Geena, who couldn't see her. "That Shiro guy strikes me as someone who'll go nuts if you keep berating him like that."

"It's Captain Marvel, Geena," Carol simply said. "You all need to listen to me, or I can't keep us all safe. I know you feel we're too powerful to fail, but you have no idea how fast things can turn."

"No idea?" Geena scoffed. "You don't know a thing about me, lady. Oh, wait, sorry. Captain."

Carol frowned, wanting to drop Geena. She would catch her, but she really wanted to teach her not to mouth of to the person that's carrying her across the skies. Then she thought of apologizing, realizing she had perhaps used too harsh a tone, but at the same time, that wouldn't be the thing to do as a leader. So she let silence remain.

Silence was strength. Carol was pretty sure she had read that somewhere.

"Captain, we just got shot at," Nova said through her earpiece, and Carol was shocked.

"Already? Over."

"There's a big force standing to the east of the capital city. I think they were staging an attack and we just found them. Uh, over."

Carol was beside herself. Really? Just like that? "Neutralize and incapacitate," Carol ordered, almost yelling, "I want no fatalities whatsoever, is that clear? Over!"

"You know how hard that is for me?" Sunfire asked, in protest.

"Then leave it to Nova," Carol said, impatiently. Did he always have to mouth off? "Si, make sure the presidency doesn't launch an attack! We're on our way, Nova, Over and out!"

"I won't fight them," said Simon.

"Si!" Carol yelled, almost losing a hold of her voice. "This is an order, I want this solved peacefully so do not let an attack get carried out. Over."

After a moment of silence, Wonder Man replied with a hesitant "I'll do my best."

"Do you need support? Over." Rhodey asked.

"No!" Carol shook her head at herself, disappointed at her personal tone of voice. Wincing, she sighed and standardized her tone. "Not as of yet, War-Machine. Clear the radio waves, everyone, this is what we're here for! Let's do it right. Over and out!"

Part End: Thank you for reading, please consider leaving a review if you have the time.

Honestly, I'd be worried about Rhodey too. He's so likeable! Join us on the next part when Carol deals with a rebel leader and finds out their side of the story. Things really start getting difficult.

This story and Spider-man: Repulse are heavily connected by lore, even though they're not connected by plot. All my marvel stories are in the same universe, and following an overarching plot. Just in case you want to give that a read.