Welcome to the first chapter of 2024. Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last set of conversations. I appreciate it.
We are once again in the gamma timeline. We may not see the beta timeline until the test run if we get there. Plans tend to go out the window with this crew.
Conversation 75: Too classified for text messages.
Vision: Did you arrive at the other ship safely? Have they changed course? It's highly crucial that they do.
Scarlet Witch: I did. The Valkyrie is taking care of it.
Vision: Good. I'll explain why that's necessary when you get back here. We got a message from the Guardians, and I prefer not to transmit it again.
Scarlet Witch: I understand. I'll try to get back as quickly as I can. I think I will be transporting Daisy back to Earth. She's currently shaking the ship. Loki went to stop her. I would go too, but I think I might have to freeze a Hulk since he just found out Daisy is dating his ex in the worst way.
Vision: Leo apologizes for not realizing that was a possibility. When Daisy first received her powers, extreme emotions would trigger quakes.
Scarlet Witch: I understand that as somebody who lost most of her family. As you've told me many times, grief is just love preserved. It's obvious she loved Agent May very much.
Vision: Is the ship still shaking? Could that be a problem?
Scarlet Witch: It just stopped. Robbie agreed to take Daisy to Earth. I'm coming to you. I need to know what the Guardians said now.
Vision: Yes. You may need to report back to the ship afterward.
Scarlet Witch: I will be there soon. Love you.
xxxxx
Flamethrower: The ship is no longer shaking, so I take that as a sign that Daisy is doing better.
Red spider: She has control of her powers right now, but I don't know if "better" is the word I would use. I asked Loki to take her to her room to rest while I talk to everyone.
Red spider: I can't believe I just typed that.
Flamethrower: If it helps, the Rider doesn't automatically want to burn Loki. New York happened under duress.
Red spider: I am aware. I'm just mad about what he did to my best friend. That's hard to let go of.
Red spider: I'm making my way to you as soon as I can convince whoever is flying this convoy to change course. We'll talk more when I am done.
Flamethrower: Valkyrie went to do that. We will be jumping soon.
Red spider: Good. I'll make my way to the conference room. Is Wanda still with you?
Flamethrower: No. She got a message from her husband and had to go back. The Guardians made contact, and the details were too sensitive to transmit again. I told her I would take care of the portal to Earth if Daisy wanted to go back.
Red Spider: I understand. I wanted her to take a message back to the other ship. But I am happy to see the other team is being cautious. Let's watch what we send in text messages.
Flamethrower: Agree. We can portal between ships if necessary.
Red spider: Is that going to drain you?
Flamethrower: If doing it constantly, yes, but if I do it occasionally, it would be acceptable.
Red Spider: OK. I think I need to talk Thor into staying with his people.
Flamethrower: That was what Daisy was doing when you got here. It wasn't going well. Thor doesn't want to let Sylvie out of his sight.
Red Spider: Now that I am here, we could just run with the ring pop. We can leave Thor with his sister.
Flamethrower: No. Sylvie is concerned that Thanos attacked the ship in the other timeline merely because she was on it.
Red Spider: That is a legitimate concern. I'll talk to Thor.
Flamethrower: Good luck. Also, you should know that Sylvie referred to you as Daisy's girlfriend when she left.
Red Spider: I'll deal with that if I have to. Hopefully, he won't say anything.
Flamethrower: He's not green yet, if that helps.
Red Spider: That's promising, at least. I'll be there in a minute.
Xxxx
"How is your girlfriend?" Bruce asked. She isn't surprised by his wording, thanks to Robbie's warning.
"Improved," because using the word 'OK' would be a complete lie. "She wants to continue with the mission. However, for now, she will stay in her room and rest while she can." And maybe by that point, she can convince Daisy to at least go back to Earth and work there.
"And you're going to let her continue?" Thor asked.
"She needs something to focus on, and finishing May's last mission will do that. Stark put me in charge of this mission and told me to make the call on that, and I am. If it gets too much for her, I will have Robbie take her to Coulson." Natasha saw Robbie nodding his head in agreement. He considered Daisy, a friend and would protect her as much as possible.
"That is acceptable," Thor agreed. Natasha was grateful for that.
"Tony is now in charge of the Avengers?" Bruce asked. "I thought he never wanted that. He was just the money."
"I thought Daisy passed them notes?" Natasha asked Robbie.
"Just the other timeline stuff. Not about Stark being the Acting Director of the Advanced Threat Containment Unit and new Shield. Or that there are two different Avenger squads right now." Robbie explained.
"I did not deem it relevant." Natasha heard her phone say. Of course, Ana was listening.
"Ana, can you put a package of what the others missed while they were off planet?" Natasha asked the AI. "That way, we won't have to spend important time debriefing them on those things."
"What happened to Friday?" Bruce asked.
"That information will be in my background packet. For now, think of me as her little sister." The AI explained. Now was not the time to find out his friend had a new android child.
"I also have a message from King T'Challa and Deputy Director Rhodes. The U.S. and the Wakandan governments are willing to help resettle the Asgardian refugees. King Thor, please contact both as you make your way to Earth. They want to make the transition easy and begin the resettlement process for everyone." Ana explained to the group, but the two men in front of Natasha seemed confused.
"That is something else you missed. Ana will explain more on your way to Earth." Natasha did not want to explain the Avengers' close ties to another government right now. "Bruce and Thor, I need both of you to travel with the refugees. Thor, as King, your people need you to help set up things for the resettlement. Our ship is going to have to be in complete blackout mode." Natasha explained. She realizes they can't risk communicating with Earth electronically, at least not at the level needed to coordinate the resettlement of a few thousand Asgardian refugees.
"I need to make sure that the mad Titan doesn't kill Sylvie," Thor argued.
"I promise I will help protect her. We all will. But she's safer away from the others; you know you must be here with your people. Thanos is looking for her. This might be one of the first places he checks. You know she can't be here."
"I know. I will do as asked, but I leave my sister in your hands, Lady Natasha. Do not make me regret that."
"I will keep her as safe as possible," Natasha promised.
"Why is he looking for your sister?" Bruce asked.
"He kidnapped, tortured, and brainwashed her to get one of the stones, but it didn't work," Thor explained to Bruce. That accurately describes what happened, as far as Natasha knows. Of course, before she could say anything else, a portal opened again in the conference room, but this time, only Agent Leopold walked through the portal carrying May's shield.
"Thanos has the Reality Stone."
To be continued…