Chapter 121
Avengers
Arc 8 - Ch 13: Moonstone
Tuesday, May 01, 2012.
Location: Joint Dark Energy Mission Facility, Mojave Desert, Nevada
With as much subtlety as she could muster, Dr. Karla Sofen reached out, her fingers closing around the smooth surface of the Moonstone. She slid it beneath her leg, concealing it from view.
The armored woman stepped into the room. Behind her, Nick Fury, the Director of SHIELD, entered with a grim expression. Karla struggled to breathe as she recognized the third figure as Loki from Tyson's presentation.
"Well?" the Asgardian impatiently voiced,
Fury pointed at Bloch's lifeless form. "He possesses a Kree artifact we call the Moonstone. The walls of the cell have a dampener installed, inhibiting its powers."
As if on cue, a green-skinned man with an enlarged cranium entered the room. Karla realized Dr. Sterns had been freed from his containment. He moved towards Bloch, his eyes scanning the body with clinical detachment. After a brief examination, he declared, "Well, whatever he had, he's dead."
Fury's expression remained unchanged as he ordered, "Take the body. We might be able to salvage the stone. There's a second Moonstone secured within the RAFT in New York."
Loki turned to the armored woman. "Angela," he commanded, and she moved forward, effortlessly lifting Bloch's body. To Karla's surprise, Loki muttered a quick "Thank you" to Angela.
The Asgardian's piercing gaze then fell upon Karla. "And her?"
Fury dismissed her with a wave of his hand. "Just the psychologist."
Sterns, however, took a moment to assess Karla's condition. "Broken arm and ribs, punctured lung, crushed femur," he listed dispassionately. "She's useless."
Without another word, Loki turned and left the room, Angela following close behind with Bloch's body. Fury lingered for a moment before he, too, departed. Sterns paused at the doorway.
"Goodbye, doctor," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I won't miss our sessions." With that, he turned and followed the others, leaving Karla alone in the devastated room.
As their footsteps faded away, she leaned heavily against the wall, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The pain from her injuries threatened to overwhelm her, but she fought to maintain consciousness. Her hand instinctively tightened around the Moonstone hidden beneath her leg.
Sounds of hurried footsteps echoed through the underground garage as Loki's entourage rushed towards the waiting vehicles.
"Load up! Now!" Fury barked, gesturing towards the line of black SHIELD-issue SUVs.
Agents scrambled to comply, throwing open doors and piling in. Loki strode purposefully toward the lead car. Angela followed close behind, dropping Bloch's body into the trunk. Dr. Selvig clutched the case containing the Tesseract. Fury climbed into the driver's seat of the lead vehicle, with Barton sliding into the passenger side. His eyes, tinged with an unnatural blue, darted around warily. Loki and Angela took the back seat while Selvig squeezed in between them, still holding the case protectively.
As the last of the agents piled into the remaining vehicles, Fury gunned the engine. The convoy of SUVs roared to life, tires squealing as they accelerated up the long, winding ramp that led to the surface.
Selvig warned, "One minute until the facility collapses."
Fury's grip tightened on the steering wheel as he pressed down harder on the accelerator. "Plenty of time to spare," he replied, his tone betraying no hint of tension.
The ramp seemed to stretch endlessly before them, the incline growing steeper as they neared the surface. Loki sat in eerie calm, his eyes fixed on the Tesseract's case. Angela remained vigilant. Barton's gaze never left the road ahead as if expecting an attack.
As they neared the top of the ramp, Fury's communicator crackled to life. A frantic voice came through, barely audible over the roar of the engines.
"We're clear up top, sir! You need to go!"
Fury responded, "Evacing now." He pressed down harder on the accelerator, the engine whining in protest as the vehicle surged forward.
The convoy burst out of the underground facility and into the cool night air of the Mojave Desert. Behind them, the ground trembled ominously.
Fury spoke into his communicator. "All agents continue to rendezvous points."
— Rogue Redemption —
The facility rumbled and shook around Dr. Sofen. Dust and debris fell from the ceiling and alarms blared. Karla could feel the weight of the Moonstone, its power now quite literally within her grasp. Despite the pain wracking her body, despite the destruction and Fury's betrayal, she managed to secure something of immense value.
She struggled to breathe through the agonizing pain in her chest. Yet Karla remained motionless, focused only on the alien artifact. Ever since joining S.H.I.E.L.D. and allying herself with Agent Mirage, with Tyson, and she realized she needed the power to remain valuable. Tyson surrounded himself with those who possessed special talents or abilities. She'd been allowed into this facility since she'd attached herself to him. When she was assigned to help Lloyd Bloch, she knew appropriating the Moonstone was her only path to power. Tyson likely knew her intentions; he was far too clever not to. But even after she kissed him farewell, where he certainly absorbed her memories and thoughts, he did not intervene or warn her away, even as she entered Bloch's cell. His silent approval seemed certain. But before she could revel in her triumph, she had to survive this collapsing facility.
The sound of distant explosions jolted her back to the present. She knew she couldn't stay here much longer. The facility was coming apart at the seams, and if she didn't move soon, she risked being buried in the rubble.
With gritted teeth, Karla began to push herself up, using the wall for support. Each movement sent waves of agony through her body, but she persevered. She had come too far, endured too much, to give up now.
As she struggled onto her hands and knees, her grip never left the Moonstone. It was her lifeline, her ticket to a future she had only dared to dream of. She needed to get out of this room. Bloch had only been able to remove the Moonstone because of that momentary flicker in the power. With the lights restored, she'd need to leave the room's suppression field first.
Karla gritted her teeth against the agonizing pain as she dragged her broken body across the debris-strewn floor. Her femur jutted at an unnatural angle, the jagged end scraping raw against the unforgiving concrete with each pull. Blood filled her mouth, spilling from her punctured lung to mingle with the metallic tang of pulverized concrete. Still, she crawled onward, fixated on the salvation clutched tight in her fist.
Another explosion thundered through the facility, raining chunks of concrete that hammered the floor around her. Karla twisted away, throwing up an arm to shield her face. Her injured leg buckled under her at the sudden movement. White-hot pain lanced through her as she collapsed, barely catching herself before her face slammed into the rubble.
Agony wracked her body, and she lay gasping, struggling to marshal her fading strength. The incessant shriek of alarms clawed at her senses, drowning out the ominous groans of the destabilizing facility. She squeezed her eyes shut, wrestling back control through sheer force of will.
This was her only chance at the power she craved.
She would not die here, buried and forgotten.
With a muted cry, she dragged herself towards the open door, each pull a battle of will against her body's limitations. She had to get out of this room.
As she crossed the threshold, her injuries overwhelmed her. Karla collapsed onto her back, fighting for breath against the stabbing pain in her chest. Taking as deep a breath as her damaged lung would allow, Karla turned her gaze down the corridor. It was dark and filled with smoke, but she was free of Bloch's cell. The dampening field could no longer suppress the Moonstone's power thrumming in her fist.
She had made it.
Lying on her back, she gasped for breath as the facility crumbled around her. With trembling fingers, she brought the Moonstone to her chest. She remembered watching Bloch remove it from his body, and she focused on doing the opposite. Instead of pushing it away, she willed it to become a part of her.
The gem felt cool against her skin. Karla closed her eyes, concentrating on drawing the Moonstone's power into herself. She imagined her body as a vessel, open and ready to receive the alien artifact's energy.
At first, nothing happened. The alarms continued to blare, and the ground shook beneath her. Panic began to set in as Karla realized she might not have enough time. She pressed the stone harder against her chest, her desperation growing with each passing second.
Suddenly, she felt a tingling sensation when the Moonstone touched her skin. It started as a gentle warmth, then intensified into a searing heat that made her gasp. The pain in her chest from her injuries seemed to fade away, replaced by an overwhelming surge of energy.
She felt the Moonstone begin to sink into her flesh. Unlike Bloch's violent expulsion, this process was slow and deliberate. The gem's surface rippled like liquid, merging with her skin.
As the Moonstone sank deeper, Karla felt a rush of power coursing through her veins. It was unlike anything she had ever experienced before. The pain from her injuries dulled, replaced by a euphoric sense of strength and invincibility. The process accelerated, the Moonstone now half-absorbed into her chest. Her body arched involuntarily as waves of energy pulsed through her. She could feel her broken bones knitting together, her punctured lung sealing itself. The Moonstone's power was healing her, transforming her from the inside out.
With a final surge of energy, the last of the Moonstone disappeared beneath her skin. Karla let out a gasp as the full force of its power flooded her system. Her vision blurred, then sharpened to an impossible clarity. She could see every crack in the ceiling, every mote of dust in the air. The pain that had wracked her body moments ago was gone, replaced by an overwhelming sense of vitality. She flexed her fingers, marveling at the strength she felt in every muscle, pushing herself up effortlessly, her previously broken leg as strong as steel.
As she stood, Karla became aware of a faint glow emanating from her chest where the Moonstone had entered. She looked down to see a soft, pulsing light beneath her skin, a visible manifestation of the power now coursing through her. The facility continued to crumble around her, but Karla no longer felt fear.
She felt invincible, reborn.
The Moonstone's energy thrummed within her, waiting to be unleashed. She took a deep breath, reveling in the absence of pain in her once-punctured lung. She raised her hand, watching in fascination as energy crackled between her fingers.
She was no longer just Dr. Karla Sofen, a SHIELD psychiatrist.
She was more.
She was Moonstone.
One final pulse of energy rippled through the facility, and Karla felt the ground beneath her feet shudder. The walls groaned, metal beams warped, and concrete crumbled as the structure began to implode. The desert itself seemed to tremble, the collapse reverberating through the earth. Yet, amidst it all, she stood unafraid. The Moonstone granted her an instinctive understanding of its capabilities. As a massive chunk of ceiling plummeted towards her, she raised her hand. The rock, easily weighing several hundred pounds, came to rest in her palm as if it were no heavier than a pebble. But she didn't toss the debris aside. Instead, focusing her will, tapping into the Moonstone's power, her body became intangible. The rock passed through her outstretched hand, then her arm, and finally her entire body before clattering to the ground below.
She stood within the solid mass of the fallen ceiling, a sensation that should have been impossible yet felt utterly natural.
The concept of intangibility, while still maintaining contact with the ground, seemed paradoxical, but to Karla, it required almost no concentration. She marveled at how effortlessly she could manipulate her body. As the facility continued to collapse, she realized the constraints of a physical form no longer bound her. With a thought, she willed gravity to work in her favor, not to pull her down but to lift her up. Remaining intangible, she began to float upward through the debris.
Karla glided through falling concrete, passing through floor after floor of the crumbling facility. The sensation of complete freedom from the physical world was unusual. Minutes earlier, she could've been crushed, but instead, she ascended through layers of earth and stone as easily as a fish through water. She passed through the final layer of bedrock and emerged into the open air of the desert night. The scene that greeted her was one of utter devastation. A massive sinkhole had emerged where the Joint Dark Energy Mission Facility had once stood. The desert floor had caved in, swallowing the entire complex. Dust billowed up from the chasm, obscuring the full extent of the damage.
As the dust began to settle, Karla's enhanced vision picked out a lone vehicle near the edge of the sinkhole. It was a SHIELD-issue jeep, its occupant surveying the scene below. Karla recognized Deputy Director Maria Hill even from a distance.
Karla descended slowly, her feet touching the ground a few yards from where Hill stood. The Deputy Director's back was to her, attention focused on the devastation before them. Karla took a moment to compose herself, the glow of the Moonstone fading from her skin until she appeared outwardly normal.
"Deputy Director Hill," Karla called out.
Maria Hill turned her expression into a mix of surprise and relief at seeing a survivor. "Dr. Sofen," she responded, quickly assessing Karla's condition. "Are you alright? How did you make it out?"
Karla glanced down at herself, realizing she appeared completely unscathed despite the ordeal she had just been through. "I'm fine," she said, her mind racing to formulate an explanation that didn't reveal her newfound powers. "I was... lucky. Found a clear path out and escaped. My jeep was wrecked, but I got out before everything collapsed."
Hill's eyes narrowed slightly in suspicion. "Lucky indeed," she said, her gaze sweeping over Karla's pristine appearance. She turned back to the sinkhole, her jaw tightening. "We're still piecing together what happened. Some kind of energy surge from the Tesseract activated Dr. Richards' experimental spacecraft. And then..." She gestured to the destruction before them.
Karla stepped up to stand beside Hill at the edge of the chasm. She could feel the Moonstone's power humming just beneath her skin, eager to be used again. But she held it in check. Now was not the time to reveal her transformation.
"We've got rescue teams on the way, but initial scans aren't picking up many life signs. Do you know if anyone else made it out?"
"What happened to Tyson?" Karla asked instead of answering.
Maria Hill's face hardened. "Dr. Richards' craft would have destroyed the planet if it had activated within the atmosphere. Tyson pulled it into space." She paused, her eyes scanning the night sky. "The last we saw, he managed to succeed, but passed out before he made it back to Earth."
Karla gasped, her hand flying to cover her mouth. The news overwhelmed even the exhilaration of her newfound powers. "He's floating in space?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Is he... dead?"
Hill shook her head, her expression grim. "We don't know."
Karla's mind raced. She wanted to hide her involvement with the Moonstone, but the thought of Tyson lost in space filled her with an unexpected dread. She needed to get him back to ensure his safety. The power now coursing through her veins might be the key to his rescue, but revealing it too soon to an organization of spies could jeopardize everything.
"Deputy Director," Karla began, "I saw something in Phase 3 before I left."
Hill turned to face her fully, eyes narrowing as she scrutinized Karla's expression. "Go on," she prompted.
Karla continued, choosing her words carefully. "Director Fury, he was with... Loki. I recognized him from Mirage's show. He freed Dr. Sterns and had Agent Barton and a woman in armor that I'd never seen before with him."
"You're certain it was Director Fury?"
"Absolutely certain."
Hill muttered under her breath, "Can it be true?" She began to pace. "Loki can use illusions," she thought aloud, her voice barely audible. "The director might be compromised." The Deputy Director's eyes darted around the devastated landscape before striding purposefully to her jeep, retrieving a walkie-talkie from the passenger seat. Raising it to her lips, she spoke clearly, "Hill to Fury."
Silence answered her call. Hill's eyes narrowed, suspicion and concern etched deeper lines into her face. With a frustrated grunt, she tossed the walkie back into the jeep and pulled out her cell phone. Dialing a number from memory, she held the phone to her ear.
The phone rang once, twice, three times. Karla watched Hill's face, seeing the tension build with each unanswered ring. Just as it seemed the call would go to voicemail, there was a click, and a familiar voice answered.
"Coulson," came the calm, professional tone.
Hill's posture relaxed slightly at the sound of a trusted ally, but her voice remained taut with urgency. "We have a problem. Barton and Fury are compromised."
Hill's eyes darted between Karla and the devastation surrounding them. Her jaw clenched as she made a decision, her voice dropping to a low, authoritative tone.
"Coulson, listen carefully. We have a Code Red situation. The Joint Dark Energy Mission Facility has been compromised and destroyed. Fury and Barton are potentially under enemy control."
There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end of the line. "How certain are we about this?" His usually unflappable demeanor showed a hint of concern.
"Certain enough to act," Hill replied firmly. "Dr. Sofen witnessed Fury with Loki, freeing prisoners and working with unknown hostiles. Given the circumstances and the chain of command protocols, I'm taking over effective immediately."
A beat of silence followed. When he spoke again, Coulson's voice was still professional. "What are my orders?"
Hill's posture straightened, her mind already formulating a plan of action. "Get to the helicarrier immediately. We need a mobile base of operations, and it's our best shot at staying ahead of whatever Loki has planned. Contact Agent Romanoff and pull her in. We'll need all hands on deck for this."
"Understood. What about the rest of the team?"
Hill's gaze drifted to the night sky, a flicker of worry crossing her face. "We need to get Mirage back, somehow. There's a chance he might have survived out there."
Karla felt a surge of hope at Hill's words. The possibility that Tyson might still be alive sent a wave of relief through her.
Hill continued, her voice growing more urgent. "I'll contact House of M and Stark to see what they can do. If anyone has the resources to mount a space rescue, it's them. We need every asset we can get our hands on right now."
"And Fury?" Coulson asked, the question hanging heavy in the air.
"Consider him compromised until we have concrete evidence otherwise. We can't risk assuming he's still on our side, not with what's at stake. If you encounter him, do not engage or reveal your knowledge."
"Agreed."
"I'm heading to New York."
"What about Dr. Sofen?" Coulson asked, reminding Hill of Karla's presence.
Hill looked at Karla critically. "Dr. Sofen, I need you to come with me to New York. Your expertise could be crucial in understanding Loki's motivations and predicting his next move."
Karla nodded, relieved to be included and seeing an opportunity to stay close to the developing situation. "Of course, Deputy Director. Tyson told me everything about his experience on Asgard and what he knew of Loki. I'm at your disposal."
Hill returned her attention to the phone. "Coulson, time is of the essence. We need to move fast. Loki has the advantage right now, and we need to close that gap as quickly as possible."
"I'm on my way to the helicarrier now. I'll contact Romanoff en route and brief her on the situation."
"Good," Hill said. "Keep me updated on any developments. And Coulson... be careful. We don't know how deep this goes or who we can trust."
"Always am. After bringing in Romanoff, I'll head to New York, too. Stark's a gem. Hopefully, you get to him before I do. We'll be in touch."
With that, the call ended. Hill pocketed her phone and turned to Karla. "Dr. Sofen, we need to move. There's a Quinjet on standby about a mile from here. It'll get us to New York."
Karla nodded, following Hill as they made their way to the jeep. As they drove through the desert night, leaving behind the ruins of the facility, Hill explained, "Dr. Sofen, I need you to understand the gravity of our situation. What you saw, what you know… It's all highly classified. We're operating in uncharted territory here."
"I understand, Deputy Director. You can count on my discretion and my full cooperation." Being close would allow her to reveal herself and intervene to save Tyson if everyone else failed. While she didn't want her powers exposed yet, she owed him that much.
"You're going to come back to New York with me. I need to visit some people, but you'll be safe on the RAFT."
As they approached the Quinjet, Hill pulled out her phone again.
— Rogue Redemption —
The lab within House of M had been expanded significantly during Tyson's renovations. Technically, it wasn't even within the House of M anymore. It was now located underground in the Alley, close to House of M's connection. There was a significant space dedicated to the lab and an even larger warehouse-sized area for manufacturing and storing the Sentinels.
Felicia stood at the head of a conference table, her eyes scanning the assembled group of scientists. The date Tyson had mandated for project completion had arrived, and she felt satisfied that everything had been finished on time.
"The Sentinels are ready," she announced, "We've also completed the rudimentary armor for House of M residents willing to fight. Now, the manufacturing lines are producing more Sentinels, as per Tyson's instructions."
Max Dillon nodded along, "The power systems are linked between the two armories. Even if the city loses power, I'll be able to keep our facilities running for days or weeks. It'll be boring, but hopefully, we can get the reactor online."
Dr. Otto Octavius cleared his throat. "The fusion reactor's construction is complete. It's a few miles south in the Alley, under the river. Tyson mandated it be constructed that far away in case of an emergency where it needed to be flooded." He paused, adjusting his glasses before continuing. "We're holding off on late-stage testing for two reasons. First, Stark's Arc Reactor will be going online tomorrow, and we don't know what effect it will have on the grid. Second, Tyson has the finest control over the magnetic containment field imaginable. Testing it without him present would be foolish."
Max chimed in, "I agree about Tyson's presence being necessary. However, I don't think Stark's reactor will have a detrimental effect on the grid. Between the two of us, we'll be able to power the city for hundreds of years."
Felicia raised a hand, redirecting the conversation. "Let's focus, gentlemen. Thanks for the update on the reactor. Let's talk about the armor."
Ivan Vanko grunted. "Armor upgrades are complete. The new alloy is stronger and lighter. It will protect against most conventional weapons. Not nearly as good as the adamantium some of you have, but better than Kevlar."
Felicia nodded. "Excellent work, everyone. We're as prepared as we can be for what's coming. Now, let's go over the—"
Her words were cut short as a bored, disinterested voice droned through the speakers.
"Sorry to interrupt your science fair," Wednesday's voice dripped with sarcasm. "But there's a call coming in from Deputy Director Maria Hill. Should I tell her you're busy?"
Felicia sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Wednesday, could you please put the call through and be a little more professional?"
"I'll patch her through, but don't expect me to curtsy." The AI's voice faded, replaced by Hill's.
Deputy Director Maria Hill's voice urgently came through the speakers. "I apologize for the interruption, but we have an emergency situation unfolding. The SHIELD research facility where Tyson was stationed came under attack earlier this evening. We have reason to believe the Asgardian Loki was behind it. He managed to infiltrate and disable our security systems. During the attack, one of our experimental spaceships was activated prematurely. Tyson was the only one capable of ensuring it launched successfully. He used his magnetic powers to pull it into the atmosphere. Our recordings show he succeeded, but he lost consciousness before he could return."
Hill took a breath before continuing. "We assume he's still adrift, caught in Earth's orbit."
Felicia's heart dropped. Tyson had informed her that Loki would be returning, but he didn't mention anything about a spaceship.
Wednesday, who'd been listening in, suddenly announced, "Babysitter protocol has been activated. Mr. Stark has been informed of the situation."
Hill mumbled, "Babysitter protocol?"
Felicia's exasperation was evident as she explained, "Tony installed a failsafe into the AI. If Tyson's in trouble or there's a fight incoming or ongoing, Stark is notified."
As Felicia finished her explanation, Tony Stark's voice came through the speakers. "I'm caught up, using the Stark satellite telemetry to find him. We're talking about finding a single person in the vastness of space. But then again, I am Tony Stark."
The room fell silent as they waited for him to continue. The tension was palpable, with each person acutely aware of the gravity of the situation. Felicia's fingers drummed nervously on the conference table.
After a moment that felt like an eternity, Stark's voice returned, filled with a mix of concern and his characteristic bravado. "Alright, backtracking through the satellite data, I've got him launching that ship… The boy was moving."
Dr. Octavius rolled his eyes at Stark's self-aggrandizement but didn't interrupt, awaiting more information.
Stark continued, "I've utilized the full array of Stark satellites, including our most advanced tracking and imaging systems. These babies can spot a dime on the street from orbit, so finding a person-sized object was just a matter of narrowing down the search parameters."
"Get to the point, Stark," Felicia interjected, her patience wearing thin.
"Right, right," Tony replied, not missing a beat. "So, I started by calculating the trajectory of the ship based on its last known position and velocity. Then, I factored in Tyson's likely separation point, considering the ship's sudden acceleration and Tyson's known abilities."
The scientists in the room nodded along, following Stark's logic.
"From there, I used our infrared and electromagnetic sensors to scan for any anomalies in the area. Tyson's unique energy signature, a result of his powers, made him stand out like a Christmas tree in July once I knew where to look."
Max leaned forward, intrigued. "What kind of energy signature are we talking about?"
"It's a mix of things," Stark explained. "There's a distinct electromagnetic field around him, probably from his ferrokinetic abilities. Plus, there's an unusual heat signature, impossible from a typical human body jettisoned in space. I'm guessing that's related to his healing factor working overtime."
Felicia interrupted again, "Tony, where exactly is he?"
"I'm getting there, Ms. Impatient," Stark quipped. "As I was saying, once I isolated his energy signature, pinpointing his exact location was a breeze. He's currently floating about five miles beyond the exosphere boundary."
The room collectively held its breath as they processed this information.
Stark continued, his voice growing more serious. "To be precise, he's approximately 67 miles above the Earth's surface. That puts him just beyond the Kármán line, which is typically considered the boundary between Earth's atmosphere and outer space."
Dr. Octavius stroked his chin thoughtfully. "That's a precarious position. He's essentially in a vacuum, with no protection from solar radiation or micrometeorites, and no oxygen."
"Exactly," Stark agreed. "And while Tyson's healing factor is impressive, I'm not sure how long it can keep up with the harsh conditions of space. The good news is, he's not drifting away from Earth. The bad news is, he's not coming back down either. He's in a sort of stable orbit."
Felicia's brow furrowed with concern. "How long can he survive out there?"
"That's the million-dollar question. Given his unique physiology, it's hard to say. A normal human wouldn't last a minute. But Tyson? He could potentially survive for hours, maybe even days."
"So what's the plan?" Max asked, voicing the question on everyone's mind.
"That's the problem," Stark said, his voice tinged with frustration. "Getting to Tyson isn't as simple as just flying up there."
The room fell silent as they waited for Stark to elaborate. Even through the speakers, they could sense his uncharacteristic hesitation.
"When I first developed the Iron Man suit, I encountered what I call the 'icing problem. During my initial test flight, I pushed the suit to its limits, aiming for the stratosphere. As I climbed higher and higher, the temperature dropped rapidly. The moisture in the air began to freeze on the suit's surface, causing a buildup of ice."
Dr. Octavius nodded, understanding the physics behind Stark's explanation. "The temperature at high altitudes can drop to minus 60 degrees Celsius or lower," he added.
"Exactly. The ice accumulation severely compromised the suit's functionality. The joints seized up, and the power output dropped dramatically. I nearly plummeted back to Earth like a very expensive, high-tech icicle, techcicle."
Felicia leaned forward, her brow furrowed. "But you said you fixed that problem, right?"
"I did," Stark replied, a hint of pride creeping back into his voice. "I developed a gold-titanium alloy for the suit's outer shell. It's much more resistant to freezing temperatures and has a higher melting point. I also implemented a sophisticated heating system throughout the suit."
Max chimed in, "So what's stopping you from reaching Tyson now?"
Stark sighed. "The icing problem was just the tip of the iceberg, no pun intended. Even with the improvements, there are still significant challenges to reaching that altitude. Let me put it into perspective for you. The current altitude record for a piloted aircraft is held by the SR-71 Blackbird. It reached an altitude of about 85,000 feet, or roughly 16 miles."
Ivan Vanko grunted in acknowledgment, clearly familiar with the aircraft's capabilities.
"Now, with my latest suit," Stark continued, "I'm confident I could beat that record. I estimate I could push it to about 100,000 feet, maybe even 120,000 feet on a good day."
Felicia's eyes widened. "That's impressive, but..."
"But it's not nearly enough," Stark finished for her. "Tyson is floating at an altitude that's more than three times higher than what I believe I can achieve with my current suit."
The gravity of the situation settled over the room. Dr. Octavius broke the silence, his voice somber. "The thermosphere begins at about 56 miles above the Earth's surface. Tyson is well within that region."
"Exactly," Stark confirmed. "And reaching the thermosphere isn't just a matter of flying higher. The challenges increase exponentially with altitude. We're talking about an environment with virtually no atmosphere, extreme temperature fluctuations, and intense radiation from the sun."
Max ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident on his face. "So what you're saying is, even Iron Man can't reach him?"
"As much as it pains me to admit it, yes," Stark replied, the usual bravado absent from his voice. "With my current technology, I doubt I can reach the thermosphere. It would take weeks for me to develop and integrate the structural integrity and life support systems needed for such an extreme environment."
The room fell silent as the implications sank in. If Tony Stark, with all his resources and technological prowess, couldn't reach Tyson, who could?
After a moment, Stark's voice came through again. "Vanko, you've done some impressive work with arc reactor technology. Any chance your designs could push further than mine?"
Vanko's response was gruff and to the point. "No. My designs, they are good, but not for this. Space flight? Too much. I could not even reach as far as you, Stark."
The admission seemed to cost Vanko. The room fell into a tense silence once more.
Felicia looked around at the assembled scientists, her eyes searching for any sign of an idea or solution. But she was met with only worried glances and furrowed brows.
Dr. Octavius cleared his throat. "Perhaps we could consider alternative methods? A rocket launch, maybe?"
Max shook his head. "The time it would take to prepare a rocket launch would be too long. We don't know how long Tyson has up there."
"What about reaching out to NASA or other space agencies?" Felicia suggested, grasping at straws.
Stark's voice came through, tinged with regret. "I'm in constant contact with them. Their spacecraft aren't designed for rapid deployment or rescue missions at that altitude."
The room fell silent once more. The weight of their helplessness settled over them like a heavy blanket. Here they were, some of the brightest minds on the planet, with access to technology beyond the dreams of most people, and yet they were at a loss.
Jessica had been silent thus far, but finally spoke. "So what do we do? We can't just leave him up there."
No one had an answer.
Each person was lost in their own thoughts, desperately trying to come up with a solution, but coming up empty.
"Okay, here's the plan," Felicia began, "Stark, see what you can come up with. Use my suit as the base. You said structural integrity is an issue. Mine is made from adamantium. That solves one problem."
Tony was intrigued by the suggestion, he admitted, "That's... actually not a bad idea. The kid offered me Adamantium for my new suit, but it wasn't finished before he left. I could mock up something on your frame, but it'll be hours before it's ready."
Felicia continued, "When it comes to surviving in space, I'm the most likely to survive. I have the same healing factor as Tyson."
Dr. Connors, who had been quietly observing until now, spoke up. "You might end up stuck up there, just like him."
"It's a risk, but this is our backup plan."
Octavius leaned forward. "Then what's the primary plan?"
"If technology can't get him, maybe magic can," Felicia replied. "You guys work on that. Jess, let's go."
Without waiting for a response, Felicia turned on her heel and strode out of the lab, Jessica Drew following close behind. The remaining scientists listened in as Tony and Vanko began coordinating on how they'd upgrade Felicia's suit.
Felicia led Jessica through the underground area. The Morlocks all had dormitory space in the tunnels, but others stayed here on a semi-permanent basis. Among them was Calypso, the voodoo priestess. As they approached her door, Felicia slowed her pace. She raised her hand and knocked firmly. A moment passed before a clear Creole accent granted them entry.
Felicia pushed the door open, revealing a room filled with an eclectic mix of herbs and mystical paraphernalia. Calypso stood in the center, her dark eyes watching them curiously.
"Tyson needs our help," Felicia said without preamble. "He's floating in outer space, unconscious. I need a way to either get him back or something that will help me survive in space to get to him."
Calypso took a moment to digest what she said, her brow furrowing in thought. Finally, she shrugged. "Portals and teleportation are not part of voodoo magic. But surviving in space... Voodoo can make elixirs imbuing a creature's strengths for a short time. Space is a vacuum. The undead could survive. I'd need blood of the undead."
Jessica's eyes widened. "Undead?"
"Zombies, vampires, you know, undead."
Felicia said, "We still have some of Jubilee's blood."
Jessica's face fell. "You know how protective he was of that. It's like the most important thing to him."
"More important than his life?"
Jessica paused, considering. Then, an idea struck her. "What about other vampires?"
"Blade said they'd be in hiding." Felicia recalled, "While Maki can channel Muse, that doesn't make her a vampire. She's still human."
"Yeah, but remember the La Magra ritual he told us about?" Jessica pressed on. "It happened at the Bank of Erebus. We know where that is. We just go and buy some vamp blood from them, threaten them to give some up, or take it by force if we have to."
A slow smile spread across Felicia's face. "Okay, good idea. We've got part two of Plan B settled." She turned back to Calypso. "Make whatever preparations you need. If we need to, we'll get you that blood."
"Angering the undead is rarely wise."
Felicia's jaw set, determination etched in every line of her face. "We'll do what we have to."
As Felicia began to leave with Jessica in tow, she called back to Calypso, "Call for Wednesday's help for whatever you need to procure."
The two women stepped out into the corridor. Felicia reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone, her fingers already moving across the screen as they left the room.
As they ascended to the ground level, Felicia pulled out her phone and dialed Agatha's number. The witch didn't live at House of M; as part of her deal instructing Tyson, she resided in the Four Seasons downtown, in the suite below his. Even though Tyson wasn't currently receiving instruction from Agatha, he'd kept his word and maintained the witch on the payroll.
The phone rang twice before Agatha's voice, tinged with irritation, came through. "What is it?"
Felicia wasted no time with pleasantries. "Tyson's in trouble. He's stuck in outer space, unconscious. We need a way to get him back or reach him."
There was a pause on the other end of the line. "A portal to outer space?" Agatha finally responded, her voice thoughtful. "That would cost too much. Ask the sorcerers."
Felicia frowned. "Thanks anyway," she said, trying to keep the frustration out of her voice.
As she hung up, they reached the street, stepping outside of House of M. The cool night air hit their faces, a stark contrast to the controlled environment they'd left behind.
Felicia turned to Jessica, her expression determined. "I need you to take me uptown a bit."
"Where are we going?"
"200 East 59th Street."
Jessica's brow furrowed in confusion. "What's there? The sorcerers?"
Felicia shook her head. "No, just one. An Enchantress."
Understanding dawned in Jessica's eyes. She knew exactly who Felicia meant. Stepping closer, she wrapped the other woman in her arms and began swinging. The closeness was nothing new. Tyson had been gone for months, and often they'd turned to each other for comfort.
"So, this Enchantress... you think she can help?"
"She's our best shot right now. If anyone has the power to reach Tyson or bring him back, it's her."
They weaved through the sky. The city lights reflected off the windows of buildings as they swung past.
"Have you met her before?"
Felicia shook her head. "No, but Tyson told me about her. They have a complicated relationship, from what I understand."
"Complicated how?"
Felicia's lips pressed into a thin line. "Let's just say her motives and motivation are questionable. But right now, that doesn't matter. All that matters is getting Tyson back."
"Agreed. Whatever it takes."
As they continued their journey, the streets became quieter, the buildings more upscale. They were entering a different part of the city now, one where wealth and power were palpable in the very air. Felicia's mind wandered to Tyson, floating unconscious in the cold vastness of space.
They would find a way to bring him back, no matter the cost.
Finally, they arrived at their destination. 200 East 59th Street, an impressive high-rise. As they approached the entrance, Felicia whispered. "Let's hope she's home."
The doorman eyed them as they entered the lobby.
Felicia strode confidently into the opulent lobby of the high-rise apartment building. Jessica followed a step behind, alert green eyes taking in every detail. The lobby was hushed, with minimalist modern furniture and abstract art on the walls.
They approached the security desk, where a muscular guard in an immaculate black suit stood. His eyes narrowed slightly as he assessed the two women.
"Felicia Hardy and Jessica Drew," Felicia stated briskly, meeting his gaze directly.
The guard consulted his tablet. After a moment, he gave a curt nod. "You're on the list. Top floor. The private elevator is over there." He gestured towards a recessed alcove housing an elevator with a keypad entry.
"Excellent, thank you." Felicia strode confidently to the elevator, Jessica close behind.
The elevator ascended smoothly, the floors ticking by in silence. With a soft ding, the elevator doors slid open, revealing a luxurious hallway. They exchanged a glance before stepping out of the elevator. A woman stood in the doorway. Her long blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders, and she wore a flowing emerald gown. The woman's gaze swept over them, assessing but amused. When she spoke, her voice was melodious. "I've been expecting you. Come in. We have much to discuss."
Felicia and Jessica stepped into the penthouse. The enchantress led them into a spacious living room with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city. As they followed, Felicia couldn't help but feel a mix of hope and trepidation. This was their best chance at saving Tyson, but she remembered his dealings with the powerful sorceress when Jubilee had been bitten. Her assistance came with risks or a cost.
The Enchantress gestured for them to sit on an elegant sofa. As they did, she remained standing, her gaze intense. "Now," she said, her voice carrying a hint of curiosity, "tell me. What can I do for Tyson's mistresses?"
Jessica's brow furrowed as she repeated, "Mistress?" Her face flushed a deep crimson as realization dawned. "Oh god, she thinks I'm his whore."
To their surprise, Amora's expression softened. She reached out, placing her hand gently over Jessica's. "No," she said, her voice unexpectedly tender. "He loves you, and I see you love him as well. You inspire him, as the Vampire did. You're his paramour."
Felicia couldn't help but smile at this unexpected display of empathy. However, her smile quickly faded as a pressing question came to mind.
"He told us you're always watching him. If you care about him, why haven't you helped?"
Amora's lips curved into a knowing smile. "I consider you one of his more clever mistresses," she said. "You tell me, why haven't I helped him?"
Felicia paused, considering her words carefully. "He told me about the favors you owe him," she began. "He offered you friendship, but these favors are hanging between you. I don't think that you're even until he utilizes them."
Amora's eyes narrowed slightly, but she inclined her head ever so slightly, conceding the truth in Felicia's deduction. Seizing the moment, Felicia straightened her posture and spoke with a formal tone. "Then, as the head of Tyson's mistresses, I formally request that he use his favor to travel to one of us."
A wide smile spread across Amora's face. "I'm not entirely certain you are the headmistress," she said, a hint of mischief in her voice. But before Felicia could object, Amora raised a hand to forestall any protest. "As Tyson cannot ask for my assistance himself, as his mistress, I accept your plea. I will retrieve Tyson and transport him to one of his mistresses, fulfilling my promised favor."
Jessica, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "That's it? It's that simple?"
Amora's expression turned serious. "Simple? No," she admitted. "But I will ensure his survival and his return to Earth."
Turning to Felicia, Amora's voice took on a reassuring tone. "You can cancel your other preparations. I promise I won't fail him."
With a graceful wave of her hand, Amora opened a portal. Through it, they could see the familiar interior of House of M.
As Felicia and Jessica stepped towards the portal, Felicia couldn't help but ask, "How long will it take?"
"He'll be back on Earth shortly."
Jessica paused mid-step, a look of confusion crossing her face. "Wait. Did you word it like that on purpose? Back on Earth, not back with us?"
Amora's lips curled into an enigmatic smile. "I promised transportation to a mistress. I did not specify which one." Before either woman could respond, she closed the portal, leaving Jessica and Felicia standing in the arena of House of M.
The abrupt departure of the Enchantress left them with no choice but to have faith in her promise. The women exchanged uncertain glances. They had succeeded in securing help for Tyson, but the outcome remained uncertain.
"Do you think we can trust her?" Jessica asked.
"We don't have much choice. She's our best hope of getting Tyson back safely."
"I just can't shake this feeling that there's more to her words than we understand."
"Nothing is ever straightforward," Felicia said, a hint of wry humor in her voice. "Maybe next time we should bring Maki to use her lawyer-fu to word these deals properly."
Jessica couldn't help but chuckle at that, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. "So what do we do now?"
Felicia stood up, stretching her arms above her head. "Now, we wait," she said, "Amora may be bringing Tyson back to Earth, but we don't know what condition he'll be in when he arrives. Or which of his 'mistresses' she'll bring him to."
"We should let Maki know. Amora probably considers her a mistress, right?"
As they moved towards the door, Felicia paused, her hand on the doorknob. "Ugh. I'm going to have to call Illyana."
Jessica laughed, "Better you than me."