Chapter Text
Year 0 of Temple Vordr
Feeling the harsh bite of stone digging into his skin his sluggish mind flared to take in his surroundings. His body felt raw and new, like someone had taken him and thrown him into a blender that had spit him back out when it was done with him.
Groaning he took in his surroundings. The harsh black stones of the sacrificial chamber brought back some unwanted memories. He had slightly hoped that he was dreaming and that it had just been some type of twisted dream where he could go back to whatever he wanted to , but alas, no dice.
“Fuck, that hurts.” He grit out as a fresh wave of searing pain flashed through his body. Turning rigid he waited for it to ease. Only when it ebbed did he push himself up in a seated position. A shiver went through him as he noticed his state of nudity.
I feel like this is not going to be the last time I wake up naked in a stone room. The bitter thought was not something he wanted to think but it rang true when he noticed that his once golden tanned skin was now pale as marble. His scars were gone and his chest felt heavy where his once frail rib cage was. Taking into account the aches and pains of his body, he felt like he had been put through a rigorous training day that had left him sore and tender, but in a more deep and gut wrenching way.
Lifting a hand he ran his fingers against his skin. He felt slight bumps raised in his skin that were invisible to the naked eye. They ran from elbow to wrist and all along his body in strange patterns that made him shudder when he put too much pressure on them.
Weird. They’re almost like nerves on the top of my skin.
Continuing his exploration he noticed that his nails were thicker and more pointed. Watching the darkened shapes he slowly lowered his hand to trace the nail against the stone below him. He watched in morbid curiosity as he drug it across the stone leaving a deep scrape.
I’d have to say that these are seriously harder than stone for it to do that amount of damage and not even chip the nail.
Turning his attention away from his new found features he took in the room around him with a feeling of bitter resentment.
I seriously ca-
“I see that you are awake.” A slippery voice sounded as he whipped his head in the direction that it came from. Noticing her was not the problem, but seeing her deep gaze on him though left a stone in his stomach that left him feeling all types of uneasiness.
Watching her with apprehension he slowly moved his sore body so he could stand. His legs shaky under him but still able to withstand his weight. He watched as her blue eyes followed him as he slowly stood to his full height, once again noticing that he was different. His previous height had been closer to 5’7’’, however now he stood closer to 6 feet tall, maybe even a little higher. He was getting kind of tired of all these changes to his body that he had had no say in.
“What do you want?” Tony asked as he kept Verdandi in his line of sight at all times.
She said nothing as she moved her eyes along his body, almost like she was expecting to find something. When she was done she waved a hand towards him. He tensed as black clothes, stiff and coarse fitted to his body leaving him with plenty of room to move and be comfortable. His teeth gritted as he felt the invisible ridges on his skin come in contact with the cloth. The fabric, or whatever it was was light but still felt suffocating to his skin as it shifted around him as he twitched in discomfort.
He tensed further when he noticed that she was slightly expecting a reaction from him and she had seen what she wanted. A hum left her throat, the sound gravelly and frigid.
“I see that your blood has finally awoken.” Her face blank but a knowing light shining in her eyes caused him to frown.
“What?”
“Your Blood. Did you really think that you were entirely human?” She asked. The question slapped him across the face in a way that felt purely targeted. He did not like it.
Not to mention the jab that he was not entirely human. It left him unsettled in a way that caused churning in his stomach. A dark feeling slithering its way into the back of his mind.
“Entirely Human? What would I be then?” He asked in a guarded tone, not wanting her to see that her question had thrown him so much and gotten under his skin faster than anyone had any right to.
A slightly amused expression flashed across her features before simmering into a thoughtful one.
“Midgard, or Earth as you had known it to be, was known as a middle ground to all the different races that were known in the different realms. There were many different races that settled on Midgard that later caused what you know yourself to be, Humans.” She explained. The implications of what she was saying was something he almost wanted to laugh at. If what she was saying was true, then to some degree he could most definitely see why Earth had been the target that he had been.
“So like a melting pot? Different races and different genetics?” He slowly asked, not sure if she was going to allow him to ask questions. Nothing had happened to him so far but the chance was still looming overhead.
“Yes, that is a way to look at things I suppose.” She nodded. Tony considered her as he watched her gaze fall away from him and turn towards a lone torch on the far wall.
She looked at it with distant eyes before her gaze snapped back towards him so abruptly that he cringed.
“It is time for you to leave.” She said as she slowly glided towards him. He tensed as he took a step back.
“Leave where?” He asked, feeling panic climb into his throat when she did not answer. When she reached him she let her hand come up to his face and stopped there, close enough for him to feel the cold from her skin.
A flinch jolted him as her finger traced a circle into his forehead leaving behind a chilled area. He kept his eyes locked on her face as he braced for the pain, but nothing came like the last time.
“It is time for you to go to a place of learning. Fear not young one, just know that you are anew. Reborn and as such you are known as Anton Jatvardr Stark, son of your mother Maria Carbonell descendant of Nal.” The mention of his mother caused shock to course through him as well as a wall of grief. Gritting his teeth he kept his gaze locked on her.
“Where?” He grit out.
A small smile graced her face that looked sorrowful, almost wistful.
“To the teachers.” Tony, who once again was getting tired of the very nondescript answers was slightly prepared for the darkness that swallowed him, but his bitten off curse did nothing to soothe the anger that had coursed through him as he fell to unconsciousness. After all, darkness had never been his friend.
**********
Year 207 of Temple Vordr
Anton sighed for what seemed like the hundredth time as he stared into the dusty air of the main library. The rows upon rows of books set in stone shelves did not have their usual pull as his mind wandered from place to place.
“Are you listening, Anton!?” Besta asked with no small amount of frustration. Irritation coursed through him at her sharp tone.
Turning his gaze towards her he settled her with a mild glare.
After his rather abrupt second death at the hands of the fates, manipulative bastards, he had come back to himself some time later after passing out again . He had been resting on a bed surrounded by blue people, like literal blue people. He could say without a doubt that his rather panicked reaction had not been one of his brightest moments.
Later, after he had come down from a stupidly long panic attack, he had been let know that these people were indeed Jotnar, otherwise known as giants. He knew about them from his brief, almost obsessive research binge, but never in his life had he thought that he would ever come to meet one.
Well, technically Loki had been one, but he had not been blue. Maybe that had something to do with growing up in Asgard.
He had wondered why the self proclaimed adopted brother of Thor had never held the well known characteristics of the frost giants he so loathed, but he had never gotten around to asking Thor if he had known the reason behind it. But that had been a question that did not seem to be getting an answer any time soon, like a long ass time if he was doing his math right. And his math is always right.
It had seemed that the fates had fulfilled their purpose, then dumped him on the steps of the Jotnar kingdom with strict instructions to teach him all that they knew. Courtesy of a vision sent to their most high seer, who upon waking from her vision had found his crumpled unconscious body on the steps of their temple.
He had raged and cursed and yelled until he had everything out of his system before deciding that he was not going to do jack shit until the moment was right.
“What?” He grit out. Besta’s eyes narrowed in glare that made him want to hide. She was a larger jotun, about 10 feet tall with long black hair that reached her waist filled with braids and beads that told everyone that she was a high level seer. The very one that had been given the vision from the fates to teach him. He kind of pitied her for being stuck with him, but he could care less at the moment.
“I understand that you are not happy with your place. However, that is no reason to act like a small child and throw a fit every time you are reminded of it.” She told him as she set down the book she had been reading from. Turning more towards him she gave him her full attention.
Anton flashed his teeth in anger but held his tongue. Angering her had proven that he was not as well attuned to his new body as he should be considering she had pressed along some of his pressure points in his arm that had him passing out for a solid day. He had woken up with a pounding headache and a flat look from her before she had continued the lesson as if nothing had happened in the first place.
“I do not see why I need to understand all of this. You know that I have literally thousands of years to live through before anything really matters. Why do I need to know about anything that doesn’t affect me?” He seethed. He would rather just find some random job to do and pass the time inventing new things, well not really new to him but new to this time. A deep sigh from her pulled a frown from him as he watched a flash of disappointment cross her face.
“Anton, you must realize that in order to live through those years you need to be able to survive. Why else would I be here trying to get you to take an interest in learning things that you have no knowledge of? You are in the largest library of the entire Universe and you have done nothing but complain and sit around like a child throwing a tantrum. In order for you to live, to survive, you must learn.” She chided. Slow realization crept through him as his eyes swept over the rows of books that surrounded him. A small part of him that was persistently getting louder reminded him that he knew little to nothing about anything outside of earth and when he lived there. Not even about Thanos now that he thought about it.
A sudden weight fell on him as he grasped what she was telling him. He knew nothing, in the grand scheme of things. He didn’t know about magic, or the other realms, or what he was even. He felt a cold rush up his spine as he glanced up at Besta. He felt small under the knowledge that he was lacking the most important thing that had kept him alive for so long, Knowledge and Insight. He had neither now, he was as blind as a newborn baby.
“Okay, sorry.” He said slowly as he put his full attention on her. If he was going to learn he was going to learn everything. A small jolt of excitement shifted in him as he really looked at the books upon books laid out in front of him.
If there had been one thing that Tony Stark had loved it had been saiting his hunger for knowledge, and as fate would have it so did Anton.
“So, first question then, since I might as well try this out. How can I understand you?” He asked as he motioned towards the cover of the book. The letters were different then any he had seen before, but he could understand Besta like she was speaking english.
A wide grin stretched across her features that made him sweat. She grinned like she was sizing up her prey, not a thought that made him feel better but given who she was he felt slightly better knowing that she wouldn’t eat him…probably. However the feeling that he had just walked into her trap filled him with some hesitation.
“That Anton is a wonderful start.” She said as he felt like he had signed a death warrant, his own.
Many years later after near constant lessons and a full history of everything leading up to the current year, Anton felt like his brain had been put through a blender and then poured back into his skull. However the satisfied smile that Besta doned on her face held back any signs of frustration. Keeping his mouth shut of course had served him better than any other trait he had.
Just another beginning Anthony, another project. You got this, just one foot in front of the other. We’ll be just fine.
Let it be known that Anton would lie to himself if it meant feeling slightly better about the rather large idea of having to live his life out, the lifespan of a god notwithstanding. This trait of his had served him well, let us hope it would do so again.
**********
June 14th, 1943
Brooklyn, New York
James was walking down the street keeping an eye out for a blond head of hair that he had no doubt was in the local area. He had seen the paper advertisement for the newest moving pictures about the war effort and he knew that Steve would be at them. Weaving through the clusters of people he heard the faint sound of rustling from the nearest back alley right next to the movie theater.
“You just don’t know when to quit, do ya?” James frowned at the sound of the guy's tone. Grunts of exhaustion sounded now that he was focusing on it as he made his way down the alley.
“I can do this all day.” James sighed at the confirmation that it was indeed Steve in the middle of another one sided fight.
He saw as Steve tried to throw a punch that failed to land that left him in the perfect spot for the other man to land a heavy blow on his face. Steve crumbled like a sack of potatoes as James winced in sympathy. Finally reaching the two he focused on the bully.
“Hey, pick on someone your own size.” James said as he jerked the man away from Steve’s fallen form. He wasn’t unconscious but he looked pretty roughed up.
Turning his gaze to the man he sent a glare at him. The man’s face twisted as he swung, but James sidestepped and landed a right hook that had the man spinning. Blood spilling from his now split lip. For extra measure James kicked his boot on his ass forcing the man to stumble forward as he scurried off.
I swear, this little punk just attracts bullies.
Sighing he turned towards Steve watching him slowly stand.
“Sometimes I think you like getting punched.” He sighed again at the look he got from Steve. He could already predict what he was going to say.
“I had him on the ropes.” Steve replied as he shook off dirt from his closes and aches from his joints.
I knew it.
James studied him for a minute before his gaze fell to another enlistment form next to where Steve had fallen. Picking it up he opened it.
“How many times is this? Oh, you're from Peman now, huh? You know it’s illegal to lie on your enlistment form, and seriously New Jersey?” He asked with disappointment. There was only so much he could do to keep him out of trouble, but Steve seemed to like to put himself in every situation that he could possibly fall into.
“You get your orders?” He watched as Steve looked at his uniform in envy. James almost huffed in annoyance but kept it to himself. He just wanted Steve to be safe and maybe not as stubborn as a mule when it came to something he put his mind to.
“The 107th. Sergeant James Barnes, shipping out for England first thing tomorrow.” James said slowly as he forced a smile on his face. He hadn’t wanted to go, but the enlistment officers had taken one look at him and stamped him fit for duty. They had smiled like he should have been excited but all he could think about was all the men that had already died in the war and how he didn’t want to be one of them.
“I should be going.” Steve said with a huff. James almost rolled his eyes. Of course Steve would want to go. He wanted to be a part of something, be something. James just thought that maybe his fixation would have ebbed with each refusal but it seemed to just grow into something ugly.
“Come on man. It’s my last night. We got to get you cleaned up.” James said as he pulled Steve out of the alley. Hoping to lighten the mood, he threw the denied enlistment form in the nearest trash bin.
“Why, where are we going?” Steve asked as he was tugged along. James grinned at him as excitement coursed through him. Passing the newspaper to him he stuffed his hands in his pockets and said,
“The Future.”
Stark Expo
United States Armed Services: Recruitment
Steve made his way into the recruitment office as he studied the posters on the walls. His hope to someday contribute something to the world pushing him forwards for one more chance. He knew that his chances were slim, but he was willing to exhaust all of his chances before giving up. It just wasn’t in his nature. Stepping forward to the mirrored picture he saw the top end of his reflection.
Bitter annoyance flashed through him as the reminder that he wasn’t tall enough, big enough, or healthy enough for anyone to pick him. A hand shoving him slightly forward drew his attention towards Bucky.
“Come on, you're missing the point of a double date.” Bucky jested with a good hearted smile. Steve could see slight ire in his eyes though. He felt slightly bad for leaving them but he could tell that his date wanted nothing to do with him. Sighing he stepped away from the mirrored picture as Bucky moved a few steps back.
“We’re taking the girls dancing.” Bucky said excitedly as he looked off into the crowd.
“You go ahead, I’ll catch up with you.” Steve said. Bucky stopped moving as he turned to look back at him. Steve cringed inside as the look that crossed Bucky’s face. He knew that he wouldn’t like him trying again. He just didn’t seem to understand that he needed to do something, help out somehow.
“You really gonna do this again?” Bucky asked with disappointment. Steve shrugged.
“Well, it's a fair. I’m gonna try my luck.”
“As who? Steve from Ohio? They’ll catch you, worst they’ll actually take you.” Bucky said firmly as Steve saw the faint lines of anger clouding his face.
“Look, I know you don’t think I can do this…” Steve started but Bucky cut him off.
“This isn’t about cowardice Steven, this is war.” Bucky said. His face was set in a hard line.
“I know its a war..” Steve deflected.
“Why are you so keen on fighting? There's plenty of important jobs.” Bucky exploded. Steve could see what was almost desperation lined in his face but the irritation of people telling him what he could and couldn’t do was getting on his nerves.
“What do you want me to do, collect scrap metal?” Steve snapped back at him.
“YES!.”
“Or pulling a wagon? I’m not going to..” Steve continued despite the loud outburst from him.
“I don’t want…”
“Bucky, Bucky come on. There are men laying down their lives. I’ve got no right to do any less than them.That’s what you don’t understand. This isn’t about me.” Steve reasoned. He saw resignation settle on Bucky’s face at the tone that he had. Steve knew that he was stubborn, but being stubborn had gotten him through a lot in his life and he wasn’t going to stop now.
“Right, cause you’ve got nothing to prove.” Bucky threw back bitterly after a second of thought. Steve winced. He knew that Bucky had nailed it on the head but his pride refused to let him fold.
“Don’t do anything stupid before I get back.” Bucky said with a long suffering sigh as he slowly edged towards the crowds. Steve saw the worried expression that he had that reminded him of his mother. His heart throbbed at the visual. Sighing he felt his anger leave him. Staying mad at Bucky had always been hard, he knew that he really did care about him and just wanted him to be safe.
“How can I, you're taking all the stupid with you.” Steve jested as he watched Bucky look at him. A deep sigh came from him before he pulled Steve into a firm hug.
“You're a punk.” Bucky sighed, Steve felt the hard tension ease slightly from his frame.
“Jerk. Be careful. Don’t win the war till I get there.” Steve remarked with a grin as Bucky let him go and walked back towards where the girls were.
Bucky turned back towards him and gave him a perfect salute before throwing a grin his way and disappearing into the crowd. Steve huffed before turning around and heading towards the medical exam area hoping to all things that his luck was going to pull through.
Medical Exams
Recruitment Department
Doctor Abraham Erskine observed the bustling nurses and doctors that moved seamlessly throughout their ward. He had directed a nurse to the room that Steve had entered and let them know that he was going to take over. Grabbing the man’s folder he skimmed the file. Seeing the nurse come out with the doctor that had completed the exam he made his way over to the closed space with his guard.
His guard opened the drape as he followed him in.
“Thank you.” He said as he dismissed the guard. Taking in the frail young man before him he could see some of the qualities that he had been looking for.
“So, you want to go overseas. Kill some Nazi’s.” He said opening the folder. He kept a keen eye on the man as he watched his words sink in.
“Excuse me?”
“Dr, Abraham Erskine. I represent the Strategic Science Reserve.” He introduced himself. The young man shook his hand as he looked him in the eye.
“Steve Rogers.” Erskine nodded in thought as he moved to spread the folder out on the table.
“Where are you from?” The young man asked.
“Queens. 73rd street utopia parkway. Before that Germany. This troubles you?” He asked as he studied the man that looked like a spooked deer.
“No.” Steve shook his head.
“Where are you from, Mister Rogers? Hm? Is it Newhaven? Or Polamos? Five exempts in five different cities.” He started before Rogers cut in.
“That might not be the right file.”
“It’s not the exempts that I’m interested in, it's the five tries. But you didn’t answer my question. Do you want to kill Nazi’s?” Erskine asked as he observed the man realize that he had been caught. He could see the fear in him but he could also see heart.
“Is this a test?” Rogers asked as he threw a glance at the posted sign behind him reminding anyone that falsifying enlistment forms was illegal. Erskine almost wanted to laugh.
“Yes.” He said watching the man contemplate his answer.
“I don’t want to kill anyone. I don’t like bullies. I don’t care where they're from.” He responded.
Good answer.
“Well, there are already so many big men fighting this war, maybe what we need now is the little guy. I can offer you a chance. Only a chance.” He said as he made his way out of the room. Walking up to the main desk he turned towards the younger man.
“I’ll take it.”
“Good. So, where is the little guy from? Actually?” He asked as he picked up the approval stamp. He could see a smile tugging at his mouth and nervous energy causing his frame to almost vibrate.
“Brooklyn.” Rogers replied. Nodding Erskine stamped his enlistment form before checking over everything else for correctness.
“Congratulations. Soldier.” He said as he handed over his folder. He watched as the young man opened it and took in the approval enlistment form with hope shining in his face brighter than any other emotion.
Oh yes, he’ll do just fine.
**********
Temple of Vordr
Far away Anton opened an eye at the distant feeling of his soul stone crying out to him. The pull of desperation almost boiling his blood with rage as he could do nothing but watch his beautiful soul be used once again for evil. Her cries flaring together with his heart did not do anything to ease the anger that burned him.
He could not do anything yet, he was bound to his throne until which time his mortal body would die for the first time. As such, he burned her cries into his memory and kept vigil watch on the ones that used her for purposes she was not meant for. He would get his revenge, he would deal fate to those that had used a part of him, hurting him.
Calm my child, be still. I grieve for your pain. When the time is right, we will make him burn.
Yes, father. Please, make the pain go away.
I will ease your ailments for a time sweet one. Remember that man’s face, remember his actions, remember who has ripped your Urduri from you so that they may pay the price when the time is right.
Feeling her calm, he marked a name for a fate befitting his actions. Looking at the pure Urduri of the world and threads of all life he touched the thread of the one that committed a crime against the very Soul that he came from. Watching the thread turn black as a chain of gold wound around it he leaned back in his throne.
Fate would not be kind to Joann Schmidt when death came to him.
He will burn.
**********
**********
Year 9586 of The Great Kree Empire
The Supreme Intelligence
House of Knowledge
Planet Hala
(Year 1980 on Planet C-53)
Mer-Vell looked up at the looming tiers of the House of Knowledge with apprehension. Her gut told her that the decision of her superior was not something that she wanted to hear. Taking a deep breath and holding it in she kept her gaze on the massive hinged doors until she forced the air from her lungs. Feeling her heart finally calm she finished her trek to the main doors pushing them in.
A gush of cool air rushed at her face from the cold stone halls but did nothing to soothe the unease that permeated her flesh. Making her way into the main hall she walked past the guards that protected their Supreme Intelligence. Seeing Harg’ths, her joint commander, she made her way to him.
“Commander Harg’ths.” She greeted with a slight nod. His gaze filtered over her face, taking her in. He had not seen her since she had been resigned to the technical division in charge of the new weapons development for their forces. She watched as his eyes pinched when his gaze passed over the stress lined in her forehead.
“Commander Mar-Vell, you look stressed. Why is that?” His blunt question acted as a balm to her nerves. She had missed him and his matter of fact nature. Grinning up at him she gave a slight huff.
“Is that your way of telling me that I'm getting old?” She teased. Watching the slight blueing of his cheeks she knew that her tease had landed.
“You are old.” He replied with a deadpan tone. She gawked at the audacity of the man. The slight upturn of his lip suggested that he was jesting but that did not stop her from placing a hand on her wounded heart and gasping in feint hurt.
“Herg’ths! How dare you speak to a lady like that! What would your wife say?” She gasped in outrage but the grin on her face gave away her good nature. The small smile that graced his face almost pulled out a laugh from her but she buried the feeling as laughing in the House of Knowledge was not something anyone did.
“She would agree with me that you are no lady.” Harg’ths shot back as he smiled down at her. Mar-Vell shook her head in disbelief.
“I feel like I should check with her before continuing this conversation.” She teased as she nudged him in the ribs with her arm.
“Ah yes, the master of my house, contending with my commanding rival. Whatever shall I do about this injustice?” Harg’ths said with a hand on his heart faking hurt. She grinned as she waited for the doors to open to the main chamber she had been summoned to.
“However, I do still ask why you look like you have aged from stress. Was the last 4 months that taxing that you have gained more age lines?” Harg’ths clarified even as he went back to his post and continued guarding the main door. Mar-Vell sighed for what felt like the dozenth time today.
“Yeah, it was. They have me working on a new type of light speed engine that will help them travel faster through space. The only problem is that they wanted me to model it after the Tesseract, something that we do not have. All they had so far was notes from a previous study of it and historical texts about its magical properties. They didn’t give me much to work with and so far it’s purely hypothetical.” She explained as she rocked from one foot to the other as her thoughts raced.
She had originally been assigned to the new technical division with consideration to her skills in development, but she had not gotten very far without the actual tesseract to study. The work that she had completed had proven to be helpful in creating a faster engine than their existing ones, something that had been mass produced and placed in all of their ships, but she felt like she had been missing a fundamental component that just wasn’t clicking without the actual artifact in her hands.
“I see. That sounds very frustrating. I do hope you the best in this research.” Harg’ths said after some thought. She sent a smile his way. He had a way of comforting her when stress seemed to get to her that she valued in their friendship like no other. He was something like an older brother to her even if she did not have one.
She turned as the door in front of her finally opened showing their commanding officer. From the looks of it he had just finished conversing with the Supreme Intelligence and had determined her new assignment. Watching him walk their way she gave him the regular salute.
“Commander.” Both her and Harg’ths both greeted Commander Xio’nn as he studied each of them intently. Waiting for his careful examination they both stayed in position. Feeling his eyes trail over her made her skin itch in a repulsed way. She had never liked the way that his eyes lingered on her like she was some type of insect, something lower than him even though he had personally picked her for her position due to her training and achievements.
“Harg’ths. Mar-Vell. Follow me.” Commander Xio’nn stated in a finite tone as he started a slow pace towards the main door. They both fell into step behind him as he held his head high, expecting nothing but full obedience.
“I have discussed new assignments for both of you with our Supreme Intelligence.” Mar-Vell felt the dread that had ebbed slightly from earlier come rushing back. The little hairs on her skin stood up when he stopped and turned to look at them both with a heavy gaze, something that was beginning to make her nauseous. He stared at them intently before turning towards Harg’ths.
“You will be reassigned to the medical board within the Accuser ranks. You will learn the needed rituals and spiritual guidings of our traditions. That is all Harg’ths.” Mar-Vell watched as a slightly shocked expression crossed Harg’ths face. She was just as surprised. With his new assignment he would have more time closer to his family, which she knew was a good thing. She knew that he adored his children and his wife.
“Thank you Commander.” Harg’ths said as he gave a bow. A small smile graced his face as he moved to the main doors ahead of them and left the House of Knowledge. Xio’nn’s gaze still sat on her though and she realized that she had a small smile on her face. Quickly blanking her face, she dropped her gaze. After a minute that felt like a century Xio’nn’s deep voice almost startled her when he spoke.
“Mar-Vell, your assignment will be traveling to planet C-53. We have received intelligence that the tesseract is located there in the possession of a militia group. You will go there and study it. If you need anything else you will send word back to our communications and resources will be sent out for you. Any questions?” A million thoughts ran through her head in a split second.
Everything that she had been laying the groundwork for in the past 2 months was finally coming to ahead. Carefully keeping her expression neutral she looked back at Xio’nn.
“When am I expected to leave?” She asked.
“Your flight plan has been scheduled for tomorrow at dawn. Make sure to let shipping know what you need in your pod and everything will be gathered for you.” Mar-Vell mentally checked through what she would need in order to succeed in her plan, and just a pod would not do.
“May I take my laboratory instead? It would have the needed resources and technology for me to develop the engines that we need faster. Time is not a luxury, and I would like to get this technology developed as soon as possible.” She said, carefully keeping her expression neutral.
She knew to never question Xio’nn in any way as he was not the forgiving type, but she did know that emphasizing the need for additional equipment that would speed up the development of their requested engines would get her what she wanted. Watching the thoughtful expression on Xio’nn’s face as he contemplated her request caused the nervous energy in her to start buzzing again.
“Very well. If you think that having your laboratory instead would expedite the process then I approve. Let shipping know about the change. Anything else?” Xio’nn decided. A small breath that she realized she was holding slowly eased out of her.
“No, Commander. That is all.” She said as she bowed. She stayed where she was as she heard him continue towards the door. The sound of his footsteps stopping caused her to look up.
“And Mar-Vell. There hasn’t been any reports of the Skrull inhabiting planet C-53, however do be cautious. I would hate to find out you have been compromised.” He warned with one last look at her before he pushed the doors open.
Fear coursed through her at the threat that he would no doubt carry out if she were to mess up in any regard. She would have to be extra careful with everything that she was expected to report.
“Wouldn’t dream of it, Sir.” She said after him as he slowly disappeared into the distance. Taking a minute to breathe after holding so much anxiety, she mentally prepared a list of needed supplies for her deployment. Making her way out of the House of Knowledge she headed to shipping.
Hoping to all ends that she would be able to get away from them without any consequences, she mentally prepared herself.
What she did not realize was that worrying about Commander Xio’nn was going to be the least of her worries. After all, who could account for planet C-53 having something more dangerous than any war that the Kree civilization had come into contact with had produced. Not even their Supreme Intelligence could take into account its once maker, the very being that allowed it to come into existence. But, as it were, she did not know what was to come, only that it put a nervous energy within her that caused an overabundance of caution.
Even that would not save her in the end.