Disclaimer: I do not own any movies set up in the Marvel Cinematic Universe or Star Wars movies, cartoons, games, books, or comics. They belong to their respective copyright owners. This story is not created with a commercial aim. It is not for sale or rent.
Phase 13:Ripples
=SI=
Part 5
=SI=
SWORD HQ
New York
"We acknowledge this was a major design oversight when creating our invasion response planning," Councilor Yen spoke in precise, flawless English. "However, the only reasonable change I would have made in hindsight is adding dedicated planning for disclosing aliens and preparing our societies for it. Prince Thor could have landed in any of our countries. An assassin or a kill team could have landed in another. We still don't know if the trouble on Asgard is over or just beginning. The last thing I will say on the matter is this isn't a question of whether SHIELD can cover up the attack. The questions we must ask ourselves should we order Director Fury and SHIELD to cover the incident? Should we use this opportunity to advance our uplift agenda openly? Is attempting to hide it worth it when a follow-up attack can make all over governments look not only like incompetent fools but liars no one can trust?"
Those were good questions, General Danvers grudgingly admitted.
"The worst-case scenario, we are looking at protests, riots, and chaos across the globe," Secretary Pierce frowned. "Ideally, we should have laid down the groundwork for disclosing the existence of aliens in preparation for dealing with future incursions as a part of establishing SWORD," He raised a hand. "That is not an accusation towards General Danvers or SWORD in general. Such preparation would and should be a political decision outside of SWORD's remit. However, I would like to hear both Directors' thoughts on the matter," He nodded at Carol.
"You all know the facts we have. Depending on what has happened and is happening on Asgard, we can expect either a friendly communication attempt or the deployment of kill teams aimed at Prince Thor. We might also potentially have an incursion from the Ice Giants, the Jotun, no matter how the events on Asgard resolve themselves. I do not believe covering up a follow-up attack
will be feasible, much less a larger incursion. If it happens in the vicinity of a larger town or a city, doing so will be out of the question."
"Director Fury?" Pierce nodded.
"We can cover up this one; however doing so might require distasteful methods. We might have to disappear certain citizens or destroy the credibility and reputation of others to discredit anything they bring forth as evidence. Considering the general chaos of the situation, we are not confident we will be able to recover all footage of the Destroyer in action within civilian hands before it could reach the internet. That won't stop us from covering up the incident," Fury's single eye glowered. "General Danvers is correct about covering up an incursion in a more populated location. Even if possible in the short to medium term, the consequences when it becomes clear we attempted such a cover-up will likely be extreme."
"So we can hide it? Otherwise, there's no point in discussing trying to do so, and we should focus on how to handle disclosure," Akira noted.
"That is correct, Madam Councilor," Fury noted.
"It is also true that doing so can blow up in our faces, or at least our government's faces. Most of them will face elections, and such a scandal can be disastrous. That is something to consider as well," Stefano reminded them. "What are the benefits of disclosure under these circumstances, if any? We are aware of the possible fallout."
"We can openly push more resources into and focus on the Uplift Project. We should have freer hands with it in general and will have many ready answers to the questions and people who are against the pace we are pushing things at," Pierce offered. "Councilor Stark, do you have something to add in that regard as an industrialist, not just a member of this Council?"
A few eyebrows raised at seeing a bottle of water levitate in front of Stark's face so he could drink before it floated away from the camera. He raised his red hands that glistened with some kind of gel, then moved them back out of sight.
"Aside from the political complications and idiots being idiots, I can see the benefits. However, first I should point out that by necessity, there is an increasing number of people in the know within military and general government circles. Sooner or later, the secret will leak, and discrediting people will do only so much until we can no longer hide it. We should
weight the consequences of disclosing the truth now and those from concealing it for a period of time until external factors force our hands. Being caugh red handed in that case might be worse than going for disclosure early."
That pointed reminder drew a lot of winces and grimaces, Danvers noted. Stark wasn't the only one concerned about the fallout from a revelation at a later date when the world learned about all the lies.
"A big boon will be a free hand to invest in space infrastructure. There are already questions about SI's joint ventures with Von Doom Industries and our work with NASA, claiming it is a waste of resources when there is so much to do here on Earth. We are looking at expenditures that, while worth it in the end, would make the first steps of the uplift look cheap in comparison. That is not the kind of burden any corporation or group of them could reasonably carry and continue with the next step of the uplift in a useful time frame. We will need money, resources, and the right people, all working in the relevant R&D and infrastructure fields. Ideally, that would be a united effort so we don't waste time reinventing the wheel, so to speak. There are, of course, other practical concerns. We need to make the best possible use of the economies of scale, which means more conglomeration of various industries. That will run straight into the face of anti-trust laws. At the same time, we will have to deal with CEOs and boards
of directors only interested in how they can profit more from what is happening. Balancing those things will be frankly impossible under the current legal and economic framework."
"Does that include your company, Mr. Stark?"
"If anyone replaces me in running it, or I suddenly find the desire to sell the controlling package of shares I have, then yes. Until then, SI is on board with the uplift program. Many major corporations whose industrial capacity we need have less enlightened management and are controlled by people with only profit in mind. We all know this often includes playing stupid games to get every single cent they can, and we can't have that."
"Did Hammer piss into your cereal recently?" Fury smiled.
"Recently? Not that I recall; however, he is a prime example of what I am talking about. I've dealt with corporations believing themselves too powerful in both my lives, Director Fury. The corporate culture here on Earth is frankly too close to what caused some very ugly incidents in my memories, including a civil war. We can't allow corporate agendas to slow down or compromise the uplift effort. And we can only do enough in that regard once the paradigm changes. Waiting for a larger scale incursion to do it for us would be an irresponsible waste of time."
"That's not something I ever thought I would hear from a CEO like you, Councilor Stark," Brand spoke in a thicker-than-usual Australian accent.
"I am many things, Councilor, Brand. A typical CEO is not one of them," Stark reminded them. "From the uplift perspective, a disclosure is going to be better done earlier than later; that is what I believe. The question remains if the troubles doing so will cause would be worth it. At the same time… do any of you want to deal with the shock of finding out that aliens are real in the middle of a major incursion instead of now, when things are somewhat stable?"
The discussion continued back and forth, shifting from the plausibility of keeping things under wraps to the benefits and dangers of revealing the truth. That was going to be what decides the outcome, Danvers decided.
"Can we lower our state of military readiness anyway? Because if not, our leaders will have a hard time tomorrow, explaining why everyone is ready for world war three without a good reason to show for it," Singh pushed yet another argument to consider.
In the end, the final vote was close, with the faction believing disclosure might be for the best, winning by two votes.
"We will make the relevant recommendations to our governments and present them with the arguments and options we discussed. Director Fury, SHIELD is to focus on internal security and tracking any dissidents who might stir up trouble beyond voicing their displeasure at the situation we will soon find ourselves in. Director Danvers, keep ready to meet further alien incursions."
By this time tomorrow, Danvers decided the world would be a different place.
=SI=
People are beginning to stockpile essentials due to the constant state of military alert worldwide! Instead of the explanation or de-escalation we hoped for, we just got news of the President ordering the mobilization of the National Guard across the country, with orders for them to be ready to face and put down riots. NATO is following suit alongside the armed forces of unaffiliated EU countries….
CNN
The European Parliament and Commission will meet tomorrow in Brussels alongside the Foreign ministers of all EU members. We still don't have a clear answer why militaries across Europe are mobilizing and deploying in what experts believe to be a defensive posture. The same is true about the decentralized forces of the Russian Federation. However, there is no indication that the Russian military is entering an offensive posture.
Euronews
Tensions in Taiwan raised exponentially after the Chinese military mobilized and began recalling reserves in what low-ranked government officials in Beijing claim to be a response to the actions of the US, Japan, and South Korea.BBC World NewsIs this the prelude to World War Three?!
CBS
А a few hours ago, what was assumed to be a leak from a science fiction movie surfaced on youtube, showing shaky hand camera video of what appears to be US military forces engaging a giant robot shooting heat rays. Since then, more footage allegedly from the exact location and pictures posted on Facebook perpetrate what many assumed to be an ill-timed and ill-spirited prank considering the tensions around the world. This all changed an hour ago when the Pentagon posted brief clips of combat footage that appeared to be in the same location and against the robot seen in the original videos…
CNN
=SI=
Part 6
=SI=
In a statement late this evening, the Pentagon confirmed that US forces engaged a combat robot in the small town of Puente Antiguo, New Mexico. The footage released on social media and by Pentagon officials contain images captured by evacuating civilians, US military drones, and combat personnel cameras. So far, the Pentagon and US government officials have refused to comment on the nature of the machine that attacked Puente Antiguo.
CNN
National Guard and US military units flood New York in preparation for the unexpected visit by the President and various world leaders. Elements of the 82nd Airborne Division, the Marines, and a detachment from the 30th Armored Brigade Combat team flew in at night. They had been deploying across the city since early morning.
New York Times
After informing close family, the Pentagon is releasing the names of US service members who died protecting Puerto Antiguo. We have fifteen confirmed dead, listed as on detached duty, and at least ten injured. This makes for a very unusual casualty distribution during battle, experts claim.
Compared to Navy and Marine losses in the Persian Gulf and the ongoing Second Afghan War, these losses might sound underwhelming. However, this has been the most significant loss of US servicemen in combat on US soil in more than a century…
USA Today
"As you can see behind me, the streets leading to and surrounding the United Nations building are an armed camp. We can see tanks parked near the entrance, and combat helicopters are circling above. Traffic across the whole city has been restricted for hours now, with police and National Guard units out in force. Right now, you can see the motorcades of the Chinese Premier, closely followed by vehicles flying the German flag. We got a confirmation that the German Chancellor arrived at LaGuardia, despite raging protests against unrestrained militarization within Germany and against war. They began a few hours after the small German army fully mobilized, and the German Ministry of Defense began recalling reservists…."
CNN
This is it! The storm is coming, and we are about to see the New World Order openly take over!
A doomsday post on Reddit
Aliens are real! A shocking speech by President Obama shakes the world!
CNN
"My fellow humans of Earth, I speak to you today, not just as the President of the United States, but as a human being. The long-asked question, 'Are we alone in the universe' has a clear answer. We are not."
from the opening of President Barack Obama's historic speech during Disclosure, given in front of the United Nations General Assembly
Military and police are on the streets in force across cities worldwide while world leaders made a world-shaking proclamation! Aliens are real! The battle of Puente Antiguo was against an alien robot deployed to disrupt a peaceful First Contact meeting!
Euronews
Aliens exist, and some of them are hostile!
BBC News
Millions gather in the Vatican seeking answers. The Pope will make an official announcement late tonight!
Euronews
Religious leaders across the Islamic world are divided by the Disclosure. Some condemn it as lies by the Great Satan, in this case meaning not only America but anyone who believes aliens exist. Moderates tend to take the stance that God is Great and perfectly capable of creating intelligent life on worlds far away from Earth if he so desires. We have seen cries for Jihad against the unbelievers. However, it is unclear if it means hostile aliens, aliens in general, or those who believe aliens exist in the first place.
Al Jazeera
We see confusion and elated crowds gathering in cities across the world. So far, there have been no reported riots or clashes with military and security forces.
Associated Press
North Korea proclaimed aliens being a hoax aimed to discredit their government and threatened they would protect the Kim Regime with all weapons at their disposal.
In a surprising turn of events, the Chinese government rapidly responded, condemning the talk of aggression in these tense times. We have unconfirmed rumors that the Chinese military is deploying forces to their border with North Korea as a pointed reminder for the Kim dictator to behave…
BBC World News
"Aliens? It's cool, I guess. Why can't it be witches and wizards instead?"
Hannah Stark During Disclosure
World leaders reveal the SWORD Initiative, currently under the command of General Carol Danvers, as its Director. It was confirmed that US military units on detached duty to SWORD acted as a first response to First Contact in New Mexico. They were engaged in combat with an alien drone code-named "The Destroyer."
Industrialist and reformed playboy Tony Stark was revealed as a SWORD Consultant who was present during First Contact. In a dry speech, Director Danvers credited Mr. Stark with establishing successful First Contact and remaining calm and composed under fire. How Mr. Stark became, Earth's first representative in front of alien visitors remains unclear and highly classified.
New York Times
Both Senate and Congress will hold hearings over First Contact, the Battle of Puente Antiguo, and the United States' involvement with the SWORD Initiative.
USA Today
Mr. Stark was reported to be lightly injured during the battle and recovering; thus was not available to comment. Stark Industries representatives refuse to comment on what Mr. Stark's involvement with the SWORD Initiative will mean for the company.
CBS
Mr. Stark will act as the SWORD Initiative spokesman in front of the United Nations, Senate, and Congress later this month!
CNN
=SI=
SWORD HQ
New York
"Just to be clear, I will be forever thankful you threw me to the wolves in the media and the politicians in Washington. I will absolutely not hold grudges over this," I smiled pleasantly to the gathered SWORD's Oversight Council.
"I didn't expect you would be dancing with joy, Mr. Stark," Alexander Pierce offered me a tired smile. "From what I understand, you have a bit of time before doing vital science again. Your schedule, in that regard, should be clear until commercial fusion begins coming online next year. As far as making Stark Industries even more wealthy, I am sure once the dust settles, you'll have many more contracts coming your way."
"This doesn't make me feel any better," I pointed out. "If I knew what you bastards intended to do, I would have sworn until my dying breath that Disclosure would have been a terrible mistake."
"That remains to be seen. We're about to live in exciting times," Yen philosophically concluded. "In the end, it should be better to get the shock out of everyone's systems and the inevitable scrutiny out of the way now before we are all very busy with the next step of the Uplift or a proper alien invasion."
"Do you have a sane way to explain why I am involved in this at all?" I was curious about the thought process of plastering my name worldwide in connection with the so-called Disclosure.
"We intend to tell the truth, Tony. We believe it will serve Earth's interests best in the long run," Hawley gave me a frank look.
"The truth being?" I led her on.
"You ran into an alien artifact that gave you memories out of this world. This makes you uniquely qualified for certain roles," Hawley kept staring at me.
"Such a revelation makes it less likely that one day I might seize power, politically or in another way. There will always be the question if I'm subverted, despite the trust I'm enjoying. By doing so, you will limit the potential power that I can gain in the future." And bind me closer to them politically because I will need their continued backing and reassurance that I wasn't compromised.
If I intended to take over Earth or something, this would be a slap in the face and my previous choices biting me in the ass hard.
"It's a good thing I don't want the job of running Earth; I'm selfish like that," I smiled back. "However, I am still far from happy with all the dog, and pony shows that I will have to endure as a consequence." I was reasonably sure Hawley and company might graciously agree to try for some bullshit story if I offered them various concessions they undoubtedly had in mind. I wasn't going to take the bait.
"You agree just like that?" Pierce appeared taken aback.
"Why not? I've run worlds before, I've been a General fighting galactic-wide wars, and I've run a nation as well. I have no intention of doing that work again, thank you very much."
Amusement, unease, and incredulity mixed into a somewhat confused cocktail.
"You still owe me for forcing me to take the heat on this one, just to be clear."
"That's a very enlightened way to look at things," Pierce temporized.
"Try selfish, Mr. Secretary. What's the narrative we will be pushing for?"
"Unity, the need to stand together or hang separately, the benefits of new technology and how they will change the world for the better and give us a fighting chance…." Hawley trailed off. "SI will benefit greatly from this, so there is that, Tony. And you will continue to have a precious voice on where we guide Earth. You've earned a vote in making these decisions."
"Indeed, your actions in the past few days were exemplary, Mr. Stark. As much as a burden that your new memories are in some respects, they are also an invaluable boon for Earth as a whole," von Holstein added. "By forcing the issue in the open, we believe it would be able to get the most of them. When you speak, people will listen and know you are talking from the point of a unique experience. We need not just the World Council and high government officials on board now. It's the population at large."
It made a twisted sense. The only real question was how to turn this to the best of my advantage, to counter the colossal pain in the ass the coming months were going to be.
Besides, while I had no intention of running Earth, like ever, no one mentioned being one of the people behind the throne, so to speak. That much was obviously on the table.
I wondered if I would be more angry or amused at this new development if the painkillers were out of my system.