Veritas Alpha, still embodying the sturdy, slightly intimidating presence of Bjorn, gave the limousine driver a curt nod, a silent instruction to remain where he was. The driver understood immediately and kept the engine idling, the long black vehicle sitting patiently at the edge of the private airstrip like a waiting shadow.
The airstrip itself was quiet compared to the chaos of normal commercial terminals. No crowded gates, no frantic travelers dragging suitcases behind them. Only a handful of ground crew moved about their work with practiced efficiency, and the distant whine of jet engines cooling in the afternoon air.
It was the kind of place where discreet meetings could happen.
VA stepped away from the limousine and smoothed the lapels of his perfectly tailored suit. The Bjorn persona fit him well—broad shouldered, imposing, the sort of man who radiated quiet authority without needing to speak.
A small private jet had just finished taxiing.
The door opened.
A narrow stairway extended down.
Jessalyn Ingalls appeared at the top.
Even without cameras or photographers, she carried herself with the same effortless grace that had made her one of the most recognizable actresses in the world. Her posture was relaxed but deliberate, every step controlled, the movement of someone who had long ago learned how to command attention without appearing to try.
Her manager Bo followed a few steps behind her, already checking his phone and glancing toward the waiting vehicles.
Behind him came Varg, her head of security. The large man moved with quiet alertness, scanning the perimeter with the kind of focus that suggested he trusted very little outside his immediate control.
Jessalyn spotted Bjorn instantly.
Her carefully neutral public expression softened.
Then she smiled.
Not the polished smile she gave cameras and interviews.
A genuine one.
"Hi VA," she said warmly as she approached. "You look awesome."
She closed the remaining distance quickly and wrapped him in a brief embrace.
As she leaned close, her voice dropped to a whisper meant only for him.
"Especially in this Norse visage."
VA allowed the embrace and returned it with a light pat on her back.
"You have met Bjorn before," he said calmly.
Jessalyn pulled back slightly and tilted her head.
"Oh, I remember."
VA's lips curved slightly.
"It was a long time ago," he continued. "And I wore animal skins instead of a suit."
Jessalyn laughed softly.
"That version had a certain charm too."
Bo and Varg had reached them by then. Both men paused, waiting for some cue from Jessalyn before speaking.
Jessalyn gestured casually toward them.
"Bo. Varg. You can relax. They're fine to talk in front of. They are aware."
Bo raised both hands slightly in surrender.
"Just to clarify for my own sanity," he said, glancing between VA and Jessalyn, "I'm apparently working for Norse gods now?"
Jessalyn shrugged.
"More or less."
Bo sighed.
"Alright then."
Varg gave VA a respectful nod.
"Sir."
"Come," VA said calmly. "We need to move."
They entered the limousine together. The doors shut with a soft thud, and the outside noise vanished instantly behind thick glass and insulation.
The driver glanced briefly in the rearview mirror.
"Proceed," VA said.
The limo pulled smoothly away from the airstrip and merged onto the access road toward the city.
Jessalyn leaned forward slightly, resting her arms on her knees.
"So," she said. "What did I miss?"
VA didn't hesitate.
"Olaf is Odin."
Bo blinked slowly.
"Of course he is."
Jessalyn simply nodded.
"I suspected."
VA continued.
"We have also located Frigg."
That drew Jessalyn's full attention.
Her posture straightened.
"Fully awakened?" she asked.
"Not yet," VA replied. "But returning."
Jessalyn nodded thoughtfully.
"That makes sense."
VA continued the briefing.
"Máni and Sól have also resurfaced. They have been protecting Frigg."
Jessalyn leaned back slowly.
"That tracks even more."
"And Thor," VA added. "Though he remains unaware."
Bo rubbed his face.
"Fantastic. Family reunion tour."
Jessalyn lifted a hand to silence him.
"Continue."
VA explained everything.
Shane Albright.
The proxy system.
Saul's house.
The celestial intervention.
The system upgrading itself.
The Norns speaking to Shane.
By the time he finished, the limousine had already merged into heavier city traffic.
Jessalyn sat silently for a moment.
Then she smiled faintly.
"A construction contractor with a celestial system and Odin mentoring him."
"Yes."
"And the Norns are involved."
"Yes."
Jessalyn nodded slowly.
"That sounds exactly like destiny."
Bo exhaled.
"I've officially stopped questioning anything."
Jessalyn turned back to VA.
"I've been waiting for more of you to surface."
VA tilted his head.
"You were approached?"
Jessalyn nodded.
"Indirectly. Bad contracts. Staged scandals. Attempts to trap me in political narratives."
"Apex Negativa?"
"Of course."
She smiled coldly.
"But my foresight kept me ahead of them. Nothing high level. Just testing the waters."
VA nodded.
"That fits their pattern."
Jessalyn turned toward the tinted window.
Then her expression hardened.
Traffic ahead had slowed.
Crowds were visible.
People shouting.
Objects being thrown.
"This," she said flatly, "is definitely Apex Negativa."
VA watched the same scene.
Protesters were stopping vehicles.
Demanding identification.
Screaming accusations.
Bottles and debris struck pavement.
Structured chaos.
Once the limousine crossed the security perimeter controlled by Olaf's private teams, the difference was immediate.
Noise dropped.
Movement organized.
Inside the secured zone everything felt controlled.
Jessalyn noticed instantly.
"Interesting," she murmured.
"Yes," VA said.
"The contrast is deliberate."
They arrived at the training facility command center moments later.
Inside, Olaf stood waiting.
When he saw Jessalyn, his expression softened.
"Freya."
Jessalyn smiled warmly.
"Olaf."
They clasped forearms like warriors greeting after a long absence.
Nearby stood Erin beside Amanda. Gary watched the monitor feeds nervously.
Saul and Emma sat at a nearby table.
Between them was a small boy.
Harry.
Thor.
He was coloring quietly.
Freya noticed him immediately.
But she did not approach.
Not yet.
Olaf gestured toward the monitors.
"The chaos outside is escalating."
Freya closed her eyes briefly.
Her foresight stirred.
Then she opened them.
"There are skirmishes forming near parking garages," she said. "AN's agents are targeting people arriving alone."
Olaf immediately reached for a secure radio.
"I'll alert my federal contacts."
Meanwhile, far away from the command center…
Shane and Hugo were in the fighter waiting area near the locker rooms.
The energy there was completely different.
Quiet.
Focused.
The atmosphere fighters lived in before combat.
Hugo paced slowly across the floor.
Then checked his phone.
Then paced again.
Shane noticed.
"You're going to burn a trench in the floor," he said.
Hugo sighed.
"Marie said she would come."
Shane nodded.
"That's good."
"She brought a friend."
"Even better."
Hugo shook his head.
"Not with the madness outside."
Shane understood immediately.
Loved ones in chaos hit differently.
He activated his system and sent a message to VA.
Need backup at entrance regarding Hugo's guests. Need Silas escort.
Silas appeared moments later in the doorway.
"I know what Marie looks like," he said immediately.
Hugo looked up.
Silas pointed toward Hugo's phone.
"Text her the parking garage entrance location. Not the main road."
Then he straightened his jacket.
"And tell her your extremely handsome friend will meet them there."
Shane laughed.
"Guess they'll think Bjorn is the handsome friend."
Silas pointed at him.
"Don't ruin this for me."
Hugo laughed despite himself.
"Okay. Maybe that will work."
Silas grabbed his jacket.
"I'll go get them."
Hugo nodded gratefully.
"Thanks."
Silas paused at the door.
"If the friend is cute I'm taking full credit."
Then he sprinted toward the exit.
In the parking garage…
Marie and her friend had just parked.
They were adjusting makeup while reading Hugo's text.
"Someone named Silas is meeting us," the friend said.
Marie nodded.
"Hugo said he's safe."
Her friend smirked.
"And apparently extremely handsome."
Marie rolled her eyes.
Then the shadows shifted.
Four men stepped out from behind concrete pillars.
The lead thug approached the car slowly.
Scarred face.
Cruel grin.
He knocked on the window.
"What's the matter?" he sneered.
Marie froze.
"Aren't we good looking enough for you?"
Her friend whispered urgently.
"Lock the doors."
"They're locked."
The thug leaned closer.
"Maybe if we get closer you might see our better side."
Marie grabbed her phone.
Trying to call Hugo.
Too late.
The thug's fist exploded through the passenger window.
Glass shattered everywhere.
The door lock clicked open.
And the night turned violent.
********************
"If you enjoyed Shane's journey, please drop a Power Stone! It helps the Common Sense Party grow!"