POV: Baldur
D'Bari Solar System
Several Hours After Departure
2016
Ratatosk is a swift and comfortable ship, yet it doesn't ease my impatience to reach our destination swiftly.
Even I have moments when patience is in short supply.
Finally, we arrive at our destination, a few minutes ahead of schedule, but we've still lost track of Jean. Has she been taken or simply left? The latter seems more plausible.
"Sir, an enemy fleet has appeared on our radar," Nordur reports from my side.
"They've found us?" I inquire.
"No, sir."
Ratatosk is the culmination of years of study of the Celestial ship, one of the most incredible technologies the Celestial ships have, and one we've tried to replicate is their cloaking ability. Though ours can't compare to the original, remaining undetected is crucial. If we don't provoke them or they conduct a thorough sensor sweep, we won't be found.
"Do we have any information on the fleet?" I ask.
A holographic screen promptly displays in front of us, zooming in powerfully. Even with the enhanced image, all we see are small silver dots floating in space—nothing identifiable. However, judging by the design of the ships, they're Shi'ar. If they're already here and haven't left, they must be gathering information about Jean or have captured her.
We can't use our sensors to pinpoint her in the fleet; it would alert the Shi'ar and likely initiate a war prematurely. It's too early for such a confrontation, and I'm not keen on engaging these zealots unprepared. Moreover, without Níðhöggr, our chances in battle are diminished.
"Trum!" The elevator door behind me opens.
"Have you found her?" Scott asks, stepping past my chair to face the holographic screen.
As we've spent hours getting here, my guests and allies have dispersed throughout the ship, but Scott hasn't left the command room.
"She may have already left this place, but they might have more information than we do," I reply.
"Who are they?" Scott inquires.
"One of the intergalactic empires I mentioned earlier—they relish targeting hosts of the Phoenix and their descendants."
I hadn't revealed this detail earlier; it was an oversight.
Scott doesn't reply and turns back to the hologram, pacing towards the exit.
"Where are you going?" I ask.
"Isn't it obvious?" he retorts, continuing towards the exit.
Unfortunately, this arrogant response isn't well received by my fully armored soldiers standing guard in the room; they aim their spears at Scott, surrounding him, ready to end his arrogance at my command.
"I think my question wasn't clear enough, Scott. What I really wanted to ask is, how do you plan to navigate past an enemy fleet with ships as advanced as those from Genosha?"
Scott isn't pleased with being stopped; his hand is already near his visor, and it seems he won't back down or come to his senses.
"I'm going to rescue Jean, and I don't care if I have to fight all of you to do it," he declares to me.
Another provocation, only fueling the anger of my soldiers who edge their spears closer to Scott's neck.
We stand in this standoff for a few moments.
I was on the verge of rising to physically confront the idiot, but a new voice in the room shouts at us.
"Stop!"
Xavier, in his wheelchair behind me, looks towards his student.
"He's not our enemy, Scott. Please calm down and think rationally. That's the only way you'll have a chance to save Jean."
Xavier's words have a calming effect on Scott; he immediately lowers his hand, though Xavier's subtle psychic nudge likely aids his words.
I gesture with my hand, and all my soldiers reluctantly step back, not pleased they couldn't end the life of someone who spoke to me in such a manner.
"Now that you're calm, let's put the plan into action to secretly board the enemy flagship," I say to Scott as I rise from my seat.
"Do you already have a plan?" Xavier asks me.
I don't respond to him; instead, I look to Nordur.
"Take command. Alice will brief everyone on the plan."
"Yes, sir," he replies, glancing at Scott, clearly displeased with his conduct.
"Let's go," I say to Xavier and Scott.
We walk to the elevator at the end of the room, descending towards the hangar. Along the way, I message Alice to gather some of my guests and allies to join us.
"In response to your question, Xavier, yes, I have a plan, but I'll need your students, specifically Beast," I tell the Professor.
"My students are more than willing to help," Xavier replies.
"Excellent," I respond.
The hangar is bustling; several men in silver jumpsuits move about, most of them mechanics responsible for keeping the jets and drones functional, with security—soldiers in full armor—stationed throughout.
"Alice, bring out the stealth ship," I announce loudly.
One of the ships among the others comes to life and gently lands before us. Unlike the flashy gold-painted ships, this one is entirely black, resembling the design of Quinjets.
"This is a fully stealth-capable ship; it even lacks weapons to avoid alerting our enemies. Its speed is compromised to minimize energy usage and avoid drawing attention, but its camouflage is superior to that of our current ship," I explain proudly to my guests.
"This is how we'll infiltrate the enemy ship," Scott says, now appearing quite enthusiastic.
"Yes, but inside, we'll need a well-assembled team."
And this team, already informed by me, also emerges from the elevator.
They are: Pietro, Logan, Vision, and Beast.
"Did you summon me, Creator?" Vision asks.
"Yes, we have a mission," I simply reply.
I extend my wrist, and a hologram appears before us—an outline of the star system we're in, showing our position and that of our enemies, with a vast asteroid belt in the middle.
"To find Jean or any intel on her, we need to board the enemy mothership. For that, we'll use this stealth technology-equipped ship. However, we shouldn't underestimate their technology. That's why Vision will create a distraction outside, within the asteroid belt, to draw their attention," I begin explaining the plan.
"My intangible form can serve as stealth technology as well. It's a feasible plan," Vision agrees.
"While Vision attracts the enemy's attention, the rest of you will head straight for the enemy ship. There, Logan will attempt to track Jean's scent. You're familiar with that, aren't you, Logan?" I tease.
"Hmm," Logan grunts in response.
"If Jean isn't aboard, that's where Beast comes in," I continue my explanation.
"You want me to hack into their database and steal their information," the blue-furred man with glasses states.
"Correct."
I could simply plug Alice into their ship, but there's a slight chance she could be detected. Beast is the best alternative; his genius matches that of Reed and Stark.
"And what about me?" Pietro asks impatiently, eager to know his role in the plan.
"Your speed will be used for reconnaissance once you're inside, finding a terminal for Beast. After that, Logan, Scott, and you will provide security for Beast while he works."
I didn't want Scott to go on this mission; he's too unstable. Yet, I know it would be impossible to dissuade him without using force. There's also the possibility he could calm Jean if she's there.
"Awesome!" Pietro exclaims upon hearing his part in the plan.
"Logan's sense of smell is sharp, but he can't cover the entire area. Thus, we should stick to our original team plan and stealthily search the ship," Scott proposes, changing the plan.
"That's an unnecessary risk. The information Beast retrieves can answer all our questions without engaging in a fight. Of course, if he fails to access the information, then you can attempt your Plan B," I counter.
There's no point arguing with Scott; I'd better accept this foolish plan as a secondary one to avoid further conflict.
A soldier of mine then appears, carrying several devices that he distributes to everyone involved in the mission.
"These are universal translators and communicators. The communicators can also transform into oxygen masks if, for any reason, you find yourself adrift in space."
Everyone equips their gear and boards the black ship ahead, leaving only Xavier, Vision, and me behind.
"Safe travels," I say aloud, as the ship begins to move towards the hangar exit.
Since it's a ship built using Genosha's technology, Alice is the one commanding it—necessary for navigating through the entire asteroid belt.
"Take care of yourself too," I tell Vision.
"I always exercise caution, Creator," he replies before flying towards the ship that has already left the hangar.
POV: Third Person
D'Bari Solar System
Same Moment
2016
Genosha's stealth black ship cruises through space at a steady pace. Its speed isn't remarkable, as it wasn't designed for that purpose. However, its purpose is being fulfilled since they haven't been detected by their enemies.
"Hold on; we're approaching the asteroid belt," the AI and pilot of the ship informs the passengers.
Soon, the ship's straight path begins to twist and turn in all directions. The four passengers can only hold onto their seats.
Meanwhile, the fifth member of the mission is flying through space parallel to the ship, not dodging the massive rocks but passing right through them.
After twenty minutes of what felt like a space rollercoaster ride, the ship finally faces the enemy
fleet, leaving the passengers in awe at the sight.
There's no describing the size of the mothership—it's easily as wide as a small city. Surrounding it are hundreds of "small" ships, each several times the size of a football field.
"Looks like we're not in Kansas anymore," Pietro quips, attempting to lighten the mood.
"Baldur wasn't lying," Beast remarks, impressed by the enemy's technology.
"Why have we stopped?" Scott asks, eager to reach his beloved as soon as possible.
"We're waiting for Vision to start his distraction," Alice responds.
Vision didn't fly straight through the asteroid belt; he positioned himself in its center. Still intangible, he begins emitting a small energy signal—not enough to frighten the fleet but enough to pique their curiosity.
While Vision draws attention, the black stealth ship maneuvers through a small section of the fleet and approaches the underside of the mothership. With little knowledge of the ship's layout, Alice calculates the least likely area to encounter enemies.
The ship aligns its top with the mothership's hull, and a hatch opens, providing a direct path inside.
"Let's go!" Logan urges, climbing through the hatch and entering first.
As soon as he steps onto the enemy ship, he bares his claws and surveys his surroundings with intense focus. Alice's hunch proves spot-on; Logan finds himself in a vast chamber dominated by enormous silver crates resembling cargo containers. They aren't just on the floor; some hover high above using anti-gravity technology.
Following Logan, Scott, Beast, and Pietro also enter, taking in the scene.
"Fascinating. They're using repulsion technology to keep these things afloat," Beast remarks, eyeing the containers.
"Could you catch her scent, Logan?" Scott asks.
"sniff! sniff! sniff!"
Logan lifts his head, sniffing the air several times before shaking his head at Scott.
"This place is massive. Logan's sense of smell won't catch every scent," Beast says, giving Scott a glimmer of hope.
"We need to move forward," Scott insists.
"No, first we need to find a terminal. I need to assess their security," Beast counters, trying to keep Scott on course.
"I'll take a look," Pietro says before darting ahead.
His speed is so rapid that he easily evades most security measures, making him perfect for reconnaissance. A moment later, he returns to the group.
"The coast is clear. I found a terminal too."
"Then let's go, but quietly," Logan says, leaping over a container like a cat and advancing silently.
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