Chapter 20 - Air Force

In the ever-shifting landscape of the world, the concept of time for an Eternal unfolded in a manner vastly different from that experienced by the human race. Days melded seamlessly into weeks, and sometimes even longer, since Peggy had entrusted you and Ajak with the pivotal information regarding SHIELD's acquisition of the enigmatic Tesseract. The profound significance of this knowledge remained a constant undercurrent in your thoughts, infusing each passing moment with an irresistible air of intrigue.

One evening, curiosity got the better of you, and you turned to Ajak. The two of you were seated in the living room, watching the house grow quieter after Peggy and Wendy had departed. Subconsciously, all four of you had been avoiding any further discussion about the mysteries concealed within the Tesseract.

(Well, mysteries to them) you thought.

"Ajak," you inquired, searching Ajak's expression for a glimpse into her thoughts. "You alright?"

Ajak, still seemingly entranced by the weight of her recent conversation with Peggy and Wendy, appeared to be wrestling with her own thoughts.

"I must confess," you continued, sensing the difficulty in reading her expression, "I'm beginning to struggle when interpreting your emotions."

Ajak, momentarily lost in thought, finally seemed to rejoin the present. "Huh? Oh! Yeah, I'm fine," she responded, taking a sip of water. "I'm just contemplating what Wendy said."

Recalling the conversation, Wendy had shared her vision for harnessing the power of the Tesseract to advance human technology. However, beneath her words, you and Ajak had detected a subtle undercurrent, suggesting that Wendy harbored ulterior motives for the enigmatic artifact.

Yet, it was a particular detail shared by Wendy that had captured your attention—a reference to one of the two female cadets involved in the partnership between the US Air Force and SHIELD. The mere thought lingered in your mind, and a spark of curiosity ignited within you, echoing a silent hope that perhaps, someday, you and Ajak would have the opportunity to meet them in person.

*****************

In the rustic ambiance of Pancho's Bar, a casual evening unfolded, marked by the clinking of glasses and hushed conversations. As you sat at your favorite corner, savoring a cold beer, the name "Danvers" caught your attention, echoing through the dimly lit tavern. Your gaze lifted from the brim of your mug, curious and intrigued.

The setting was a well-deserved respite from a long day's work on the farm you had established with Ajak. Across the room, you noticed a distinctive pair – streaks of blonde hair and raven-short hair, both adorned in US Air Force flight jackets, enjoying a cold beer of their own. A group of men in matching flight jackets sat nearby, and it didn't take much deduction to figure out that "Danvers" was among them.

Soon, Danvers rose from her seat, determination etched into her expression, and slammed her pint mug onto the table. Her right fist clenched, setting the stage for a potential confrontation. Yet, the lady with raven hair intervened, her hand on Danvers' shoulder, preventing her from impulsively diving into trouble.

With a chuckle concealed behind your pint mug, you pondered the possibility that Wendy might, one day, invite Carol Danvers and Maria Rambeau for dinner, given the excitement in her voice. Your attention returned to the scene as Danvers settled back into her seat, joined by Maria, and the tavern resumed its calm ambiance.

The male pilot, however, persisted in his taunts, directing his provocations at the two women. The barbs continued until he made an offensive comment that crossed the line. In response, you discreetly summoned a subtle vortex of wind between your index finger and thumb, infusing it with cosmic energy. With precise aim, you flicked an almost invisible needle of air towards the offending pilot, who, to his credit, narrowly evaded it. The needle merely grazed his cheek, leaving behind a minor scar and a drop of blood.

The surprise and shock that ensued were palpable, as the pilot demanded to know the identity of his assailant. His futile search yielded no answers, as you effortlessly blended into the crowd of townsfolk, having spent years on Earth. Frustrated, he and his companions eventually left the bar, restoring its tranquility.

As you continued to enjoy your drink, Maria and Carol noticed your intervention and made their way toward you. Nudges and whispers ensued, and their curious gazes turned in your direction.

"Greetings, Carol and Maria." To keep the peace, you ordered another round of drinks, inviting them to join you. In the midst of their surprise, you greeted the two ladies, and Maria couldn't help but ask how you knew their names.

"How do you know our name?" Maria asked, surprised.

"We have mutual friends," you answered.

"Is it Doc?" Carol asked with excitement in her tone.

"Yes," you said. "I am mutual friends of Wendy Lawson."

"Doc never shared with us about her life outside of her research and our training," Maria commented.

"I'm sure she has her reasons," you replied, hinting at the mysteries that surrounded your shared acquaintance.

****************

Following that lively tavern event, only Wendy graced the dinner table with her presence. Peggy, engrossed in back-to-back meetings from dawn to dusk, couldn't make it. The cause of her busy schedule was connected to a discovery related to special particles, at least that's what Wendy had learned and shared.

As the meal unfolded, it was clear that Wendy's mind was preoccupied with something deeper. She frequently slipped into a contemplative trance, all the while savoring the dishes prepared by Ajak. You and Ajak both exercised patience, not feeling rushed in the slightest, as you knew Wendy would eventually confide in you. With Peggy absent this evening, Wendy had the opportunity to actively seek the advice she was in search of.

In the midst of her musings, Wendy murmured cryptic fragments, as if unraveling a complex puzzle. Then, Ajak, her eyes filled with curiosity, gently interjected, "Wendy, are you trying to convert the Tesseract's radiation into a light-speed engine?"

Initially, Wendy appeared unfazed, as if the words hadn't fully registered. But as the significance of Ajak's question sank in, her gaze snapped toward Ajak with a mix of shock and surprise.

"How?" Wendy managed to utter in astonishment.

You couldn't resist chiming in, a mischievous glint in your eye, "It's not hard to guess. You want to rendezvous with the Skrulls you've saved."

"But you can't exactly repair your ship with Earth's tech, so you're studying the Tesseract to see if you can harness its power," you explained, while shaking the drink in your hand.

"You have zero poker face," you playfully poked fun at Wendy.

"Well…" Wendy pondered, "Yes, I am thinking about that and have already been working on how to harness the radiation from the Tesseract."

"I'm just thinking back on all the interesting humans I have met," Wendy said. "What would they do if I left Earth?"

"You mean Carol and Maria?" You asked, raising one of your eyebrows. Seeing Wendy's confused expression, you answered, "I ran into the two of them today."

"I must say," you continued, "I was having some trouble picturing them from your descriptions to us."

"But they are indeed an interesting dynamic duo."

"It means something to hear that from Seidon," Ajak interjected, keeping her gaze on Wendy, recalling what you had shared with her about what happened at the tavern earlier. "I think I would like to meet them as well."

"I think that could be arranged," Wendy replied with confirmation in her tone.

"Maybe you should also stop by the Air Force and check on what I've been working on with the Tesseract," Wendy suggested. You felt a mischievous grin appear on your face, while Ajak simply smiled and was willing to oblige.