Chapter 121 - Chapter 28: Stronger Together part 2

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With Carol's help, Harry began a major recruitment drive, billing it as being for underwater work, the actual destination of which would only be told to the employees who passed the training and wished to stay on. This consisted of dozens of various repurposed diving schools scattered around America, the United Kingdom, many scattered across Europe and even a few in Canada. He also turned over the AI he had gotten from Stark to Douglas and Reed for inspection, but given the work the two of them were working on, expanding and upgrading the space-based sensor platforms and the 'telepathic triggers' as Reed called them, Harry doubted he'd be getting it back until they were done. He wasn't happy about that, but while the AI would be a major help, expanding their sensor range was a must.

He also had a meeting with the king, General Mountebanks and one other person to set up yet another meeting.

Flashback:

Harry held onto Melody's waist as the two of them flew the magic carpet around Windsor Abbey. Situated between his outstretched legs Melody began to sing A Brand New World in near perfect pitch. She sang that song at least once every time they rode on a magic carpet.

She had been singing off and on or simply staring around them as the two flew down from Scotland, Harry playfully rubbed her hair as he stared at the large castle below them, amused anew by the ward schemes that someone had come up with to protect the domiciles of the British royal family. The relationship between Wizardkind and the royal family seems to have been closer here, I'm happy to follow the trend. These at least don't seem to be as inventively violent as the ones around Buckingham Palace. I should be able to send a message through the wards that I've arrived at least.

With a flick of his hand, Harry conjured up a Patronus, the giant, solid stag of silver and gold standing on the air to one side of the carpet, reaching down to nuzzle at Melody's hand as she jumped up and ran over to it. Shaking his head at that, Harry stood up and moved over to it, speaking into the stag's ear. "Your Majesty I've arrived for our scheduled meeting and if you could formally invite me into your home that would be a good idea. These wards don't seem to be as… darkly amusing… as the others we've run into, but they're still violent and rather powerful." Like London Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle was built over a ley line.

The Patronus nodded after Harry finished speaking, quickly dancing down to ground level and through the walls heading into the house towards its intended target. "I wonder what the security guards inside will make of that," Harry murmured, smirking wickedly.

Melody smacked him lightly on his elbow. "Bad father! These people might be nice, you shouldn't tease them so."

"It's not teasing Melody, it's just gentle prodding that's all. So, how did you like the trip?"

"Very fun of course!" Melody said bouncing up and down magic carpet for a moment, then as Harry sat back down plopping herself into his lap, leaning back against his chest. "I really liked spending time with you today."

Harry sighed sadly, stroking one hand through her hair. He wished he could spend more time with Melody, hell with all of the kids who had come to view Camelot as their home, but Melody and Illyana in particular. But he couldn't, he had too many demands on his time, despite having finally learned how to delegate.

He knew Piotr thought the same thing about his sister, and perhaps more poignantly about his grandparents. Both of them were very old, and while the change of environment had done them a world of good, they spent at least 12 hours a day sleeping, and they weren't exactly mobile for the rest of the time either. They both had led very long, hard lives and it was catching up with them quickly.

Like a good grandson, Piotr wanted to be there with them, but both of them urged him to spend as much time as possible with the team and his friends, taking more solace in the young children than anything else. Illyana didn't seem to realize what was going on with her grandparents, which Harry put down to the normal self-centeredness of youth, but it would come eventually.

At that point in his musings Melody poked him in the nose, her finger nearly going up his nostril. "Yes, can I help you?"

"Don't brood," the young girl ordered smacking him lightly on the chest. "Your songs go all melancholy and slow. You're doing precisely what you should Father, don't blame yourself for not being able to be in more than one place at once, I know that was what you were doing."

Harry nodded dutifully and Melody nodded back promptly, then pointed to one side and down over the carpets edge. "I think your message got a response."

Below them the Patronus had appeared again, along with three wary security guards from a regiment Harry didn't recognize offhand. One of them, his face looking both confused and as if he felt he was being made fun of, held up a phone, which apparently had been put on speaker. "I, King William, make welcome my wizard allies, the one called Guardian and anyone with him, into my domicile for the day so long as he means no harm to any within."

Harry nodded cancelling the notice-me-not and disillusionment charm over the carpet. He watched with some amusement as all three of the guards twitched, their weapons nearly coming up to their shoulders before falling back down. Skimming over them, well out of sight of the tourists outside the walls, he said, "I'll just park this in the backyard shall I?"

Moments later, Harry had flown entirely around the castle and was about to 'park' the carpet about a foot off the ground when a little girl raced up to them from the castle, shouting "Aladdin!" She was around eight or so, with dark brown hair in curls down to her shoulders, dressed in jeans and a good shirt.

Harry looked at her, then back to Melody who laughed, waving her hands at the other girl. Behind the girl came William, General Mountebanks, and another, younger man who was laughing lightly at what might be his daughter.

"I thought I told you to never appear in front of my granddaughter with the magic carpet unless you were willing to sell it Potter," Williams said tartly, holding the little girl back with one gentle hand. "Let him land at least before you swarm him lovey."

Harry chuckled, stepping off of the carpet quickly. "I can set it so that it will follow Melody's commands, and there are numerous protective spells on it. If you want, I can allow her to take your granddaughter up on a little ride around the palace."

The little girl's eyes widened noticeably, and she turned a full on kicked puppy expression on her grandfather who stared down at her then at Harry. "You're positive it's safe?"

"Wizards honor," Harry said holding up one hand. "I'll even put a permanent sticking charm on her, she'll stick to the carpet whatever she tries, and it'll stay there until I remove it later."

"I don't know," the younger man said frowning and scratching at one chin. "Her teachers have said Victoria doesn't seem to want to pay attention, I'm not sure she deserves to ride a magic carpet."

He winked at Harry, who smirked back at him, as William nodded gravely.

The girl's pout became even more adorable if that was possible. "Ohh please daddy! This is like a dream come true! I promise to do better in classes, I promise to pay more attention! Please!"

The man went to one knee in front of his daughter, touching her chin gently. "All right, on one condition. I'll have that promise in writing from you later today, and if you don't start paying attention, you're going to start losing privileges. And I won't hear any back talk about it, do you understand?"

Watching this Harry began to wonder if he should be taking notes…

The girl looked at him in the eyes for a moment then nodded solemnly and he smiled pulling her into a gentle hug before twisting her around and patting her rear towards the carpet. "Then go on with you. Your grandfather and I have to talk to this wizard about serious matters."

Harry lifted the little girl up and onto the magic carpet, where she laughed and quickly raced over to Melody exchanging names with the other girl. Harry shot out a quick spell, and the girl's rear and legs glowed green, suddenly sticking to the carpet at the same time Harry cast a specialized version of the Notice-me-Not. No one who hadn't seen the carpet already would now be able to see them.

"Just around the palace okay Melody? If you try to take it further than the outer walls I'm going to be very cross with you." Harry said warningly, shaking his finger in front of his daughter's nose.

"I understand, Father." With that the two girls whooped and the magic carpet started to ascend into the sky. Strangely enough the Patronus joined them, forcing Harry to quickly hit it with another Notice-me-Not spell before it could appear over the outer wall to the tourists in the gardens beyond. With that done, Harry turned back to the three men. "You would be Duncan, correct?"

"Duncan, Prince of Wales," the man said, clasping forearms with Harry quickly. "My grandfather's told me as much about you as he can Mister Potter, and requested since your message said this was a military discussion that I sit in with you two and the good general."

Harry nodded, though he was somewhat surprised at the younger man's inclusion. Still, it was definitely a step in the right direction. "If your father and General Mountebanks trust you, then I will too, provided you and they allow me to put some magical protections around your minds for this discussion and the memories from it."

William frowned, suddenly leery. "What exactly is this about Harry?"

"Forging the sword, Your Majesty, forging the sword."

End flashback

But right now, Harry wanted to try and set up another sort of meeting. Harry and Jean were currently walking through the grounds of Camelot towards the forest talking quietly about Jean's latest project. She called them 'acceleration rings', and they were the first of many items devoted primarily to revamping existing military weapons platforms. That would be important soon, even if it was a side note at the moment.

As they walked around the soccer field Harry looked up, smiling as Hedwig came out of the sky to land lightly on his shoulder, preening through his hair and butting his head with hers affectionately, "Hello Hedwig, are you joining us today?"

Hedwig precked agreement, turning her head entirely around to stare at Jean, nibbling gently at Jean's fingers when she began to caress the bird's plumage.

"I still wish Ororo and Emma could've joined us for this. I know Ororo's met Hela before, but Emma hasn't, and I would've still enjoyed getting their impressions on what we're going to talk to her about." Jean paused as Hedwig's gaze seemed to harden as she stared at Jean. "Not that your ability to read people isn't a major help Hedwig, but Harry's the only one who can understand you as well as we can understand one another."

The owl glared at her for another second before turning away, seemingly mollified. Harry chuckled at his familiar's response then shrugged philosophically. "I think we'll miss Emma's subtlety in the actual conversation more, especially with my Hedwig along to give us her opinion on Hela herself, but it couldn't be helped."

That day Ororo was busy interviewing the new language professor at Xavier's as she had promised months ago. She had not been willing to put it off considering that the next class of 'Gifted' students was going to start arriving within two weeks. It would be incredibly difficult for Charles to get another teacher to come in on such short notice if she did not vet his current choice quickly, and while she might have moved out of the mansion, she cared too much about the school and her former charges to leave them in a lurch like that.

In contrast, Emma had been scheduled to join them for this from the get go, only to call out this morning. Apparently Hammer Industries was trying to make trouble with some of her larger contracts, trying to undercut her sales to various police forces. At the same time several of her employees had been lured away, taking with them some of her weapons designs. Not complete designs thankfully, but enough to possibly create similar weapons, although Emma reassured them Hammer Industries' lack of quality control would show in short order. Emma was doing her best to combat the strong arm tactics, especially since Cold Steel would eventually be their public face for further weapons design and creation in the future.

Why Hammer was interested in the civilian sector at all was a mystery to everyone. Justin Hammer had taken over the military contracts Stark Industries had previously held, which were worth far more money than the civilian sales could ever be, at least in civilized nations anyway, and Cold Steel didn't sell to anyone outside first world countries to begin with. But Hammer seemed to be unwilling to settle for 89% of the pie, which was typical of the man from what Harry could remember Emma telling him a while back as well as more recent updates from Sage.

Emma had also begun to sense rumblings from another source, that of Ozcorp and its owner. Nothing concrete just yet, but Sage had come up with hints of cyber warfare, clandestine meetings, and even criminal activity aimed at Cold Steel, Frost Pharmaceuticals, and even Magical Minds in Britain. Why Osborn was interested in them remained to be seen, but he was definitely laying the groundwork to move against Emma and Harry either financially or criminally and the both of them were keeping a close eye out for any serious sorties against them from the bizarrely quaffed tycoon.

Shaking his head Harry put that out of his mind for now, wanting to concentrate on the upcoming meeting with Hela. A few minutes later he felt the three of them pass the outer edge of Camelot's wards, and smiled suddenly, recognizing the area. "This is the place we were all sitting at when I first created my Weatherby persona."

"I remember, though I don't remember it for Weatherby but for 'Anastasia'. You did a very good job impersonating a love-struck female teenager Harry. Is there anything you want to tell me?" Jean teased as they got closer to the suitable spot, while Hedwig precked in laughter.

"Let's just say I had experience impersonating female voices. It involved copious amounts of drink, my Marauding godfather, and a house-elf who didn't understand I was a minor. Or maybe just didn't care," Harry replied, chuckling. "But now, to work."

Jean nodded, watching as Harry took out two silver chalices, setting them on the same table they had all eaten at that night. Then he conjured up two small cushions, about an inch thick. Joining him, Jean sat down on one across from Harry, so close their knees touched, while he set the small geode Hela had given Ororo to pass along to him between them.

Setting the silver chalices to facing them to either side of the geode Harry poured a small amount of wine into each of them then closed his eyes, with Jean doing the same. After a moment spent clearing their minds, both of them spoke aloud the words Harry had found among Dr. Vorlus' notes on basic prayer. "Hela ruler of Niflheim and goddess of the dead, we ask you to hear us…"

OOOOOOO

Hela stared into her scrying globe, smiling slightly. At first she had been simply viewing her realm with Garm besides her, checking for any issues arising therein with the new souls she had taken recently, or old souls growing restless and impatient. But for some reason after about an hour of this she found her scrying pool showing her the image of Balder walking around Asgard, greeting some of his friends and talking about some sort of food he had brought back from Midgard. At first she couldn't say why her globe had homed in on him rather than her own realm, but after only a few moments Hela forgot why she had questioned it in the first place, entranced by the handsomeness of the god of light and diplomacy.

"He is rather attractive and well-spoken is he not Garm? One of the finest of gods," Hela mused absently, fingers tracing the edges of the visage of the god she gazed upon. "I wonder what I would have to do to gain his attention and regard? Surely I am prettier than any of the other girls who flock to him, particularly that cow Karnilla, but my duties here restrain my ability to actually meet him in the flesh."

Garm snorted, his massive head shifting from side to side as he stared from the image to his mistress. For all her words, he couldn't smell any hint in his mistress's scent that told him she was actually interested in Balder, nor hear true longing in her voice when she spoke of him. The Shining One might be handsome, but my mistress seems about as interested in bedding him as she would a pretty painting.

This was very unlike when she had watched the odd human siedr she called Potter. The powerful 'wizard' had certainly grabbed her attention, like an alpha wolf would have a potential pack member or mate. "I suppose mistress, but he is neither the right gender nor shape for me to find him so."

"Heh, quite true my Guardian," Hela replied ruefully, reaching over to scratch at the scruff of Garm's neck, her attention diverted from Balder for a moment. It remained diverted because at that moment Hela felt something she hadn't felt in a long time: a mortal trying to get her attention, just her, not the entire pantheon's attention or seeking to bypass her to speak to one of the departed. Someone was performing a sombel in her honor, someone whose presence on the ether she recognized...

Immediately her lukewarm interest in Balder disappeared from Hela's mind, replaced by curiosity and quickly rising excitement. Garm noticed the change in her and rumbled a question at her, but Hela ignored him for the moment, waving a hand at her scrying pool. The image of Balder disappeared to show a small woodland area where Harry and the redhead Hela knew was the Phoenix Force's Avatar knelt on cushions, Harry's familiar on one shoulder.

While somewhat miffed that Jean was there, Hela still found herself rather intrigued and wondering why Harry was trying to get her attention. Concentrating a brief moment, she sent out a pulse of magic through the ether, reigniting the teleportation spell on the geode which had brought Harry to her realm the first time they had met face-to-face.

Seconds later Jean and Harry stood up from where they had been kneeling. With Hedwig still perched on his shoulder, Harry smiled faintly at Hela. "Greetings, Queen Hela."

"Greetings, Harry Potter. To what do I owe the pleasure of your attention?" Hela asked, putting a slight skew on the word attention as she said it, a small wave of her hand blanking her scrying pool as she observed her new guests.

Garm stood up, and Harry and Jean both glanced at the massive wolf. While only a little larger than Dani's description of Fenrir made him out to be, it was obvious this wolf was full grown and just as obviously an experienced and dangerous fighter. The amused expression on his snout however made it clear he wasn't going to attack them at the moment, instead cocking his head at Harry and Hedwig.

Before Harry could speak, Hedwig flew off his shoulder, zooming forward and around the massive wolf's head. The two animals stared at one another, then Hedwig moved toward Hela, alighting on her forearm when the black-haired goddess rather bemusedly held up her arm to let the owl land. "Well hello to you too beautiful one."

Hedwig stared at Hela closely for a moment. Hela got the strong impression that she was being weighed by the familiar somehow, and idly wondered if this was what souls who passed through her realm felt as they were weighed for their deeds.

But evidently the bird found something to like in her because after a moment the glare faded as she hooted contentedly. She nipped Hela's finger lightly, then took to the air once more, moving over to land on Garm's back. The massive wolf huffed once, answered by a preck from the bird before moving over to curl up where they could both watch the three humans.

"Heh," Jean laughed lightly, shaking her head. "The three H's." The others looked at her and she shrugged. "Hela, Harry and Hedwig. Sorry, it just struck me as funny. And don't worry about Hedwig's regard, if you hadn't passed she would have tried to peck your eye out. At least I think so anyway. She's rather a good judge of character and rather scary at times."

"So I've been able to discern through my watching events around Harry, but what she is judging me for is the question," Hela replied leadingly, looking between the Lifebringer's Avatar and Harry for a moment, one eyebrow raised, which they could barely see behind her red half-mask.

Jean shook her head slightly, remembering Ororo's description of her meeting with the goddess. "Not what you might wish, sorry but as much as Harry relies on Hedwig that isn't her call. Though I have to say, you really don't look anything like the images that have survived from the Viking era. You were right Harry."

"Harry here said the same thing when we first met. Hmph, I could look the way mortals used to picture me easily enough." Hela said, and suddenly her entire image changed. Gone was the red armor and black cloak, replaced by a green outfit of similar type but of a slightly different style, with less metal, more leather and even more skin showing along one side of her body, the other half hidden underneath a voluminous dark green cloak. The skin still displayed was white as the driven snow, and her face on the side of her body still on display matched it, a sculpted neck and high cheekbones that the most beautiful actress would kill to possess.

On the other side however was a face ravaged by some monstrous disease and then followed by the decay of the grave. The paleness now was of death, pasty white, the features mangled or sunken, the perfect lips torn or absent completely, revealing yellowed teeth. Even the mask seemed contaminated, crumbling at the edges. "Is this not how they picture me in song and story?"

"Yes it is", Harry replied, shaking his head. "I much prefer the red myself, brings out the color of your hair better than the green. Besides, I doubt that you ever pictured yourself in that manner."

"Excuse me, but what exactly are you talking about?" Jean asked, frowning as she stared at Hela, who had flushed slightly at Harry's compliments and regard. "Did she do something because I don't see any change to how Hela looks, Harry."

Both the others turned to her, and Hela frowned briefly, before shaking her head with a rueful chuckle. "Of course, as the Avatar of my Mistress' opposite number, I doubt any illusion or shape changing spell I use could fool your…" Hela paused as her senses suddenly told her the same thing that Sigyn had told her about Jean's condition.

She grimaced while moving back, dispelling the illusion as she sat down on her throne, regarding her two guests somewhat coolly now, which matched her tone when she spoke. "I see congratulations are in order, Avatar of the Lifebringer. Was it a blessing sought or come by happenstance?"

"Accident, but a happy one," Jean replied as she lightly touched her still flat belly, making note of the tone in Hela's voice, but not commenting on it.

Harry nodded, gesturing as if he was about to conjure up a pair of chairs for himself and Jean. He first looked at Hela for permission however, and she thawed slightly as she nodded her head, pleased that Harry remembered himself. Sitting down, Harry smirked lightly at Hela. "Still, you're having that other form you're known for interests me. Was that tale of being Hela 'Half-fair' created by jilted suitors? We heard that you had many such when you first assumed your position here in Niflheim."

Garm barked a harsh laugh remembering some examples of that, while Hela laughed too, a hollow humorless sound. "True enough and I would not put it past many of my suitors, Mortal, Aesir, or Jotun to do such a thing. Such prideful creatures men can be," she said primly, giving a face like butter wouldn't melt in her mouth.

Jean chuckled, shaking her head and suddenly feeling right at home. Hela's caustic reaction and her tone were so similar to what Emma used at times it was astonishing and actually put her at ease. "I had a boyfriend named Duncan for a while, but then as I grew out of the mold my parents and others had pushed me into I outgrew him too, and finally saw him for the asshole he was. But when I dumped him, I was immediately approached by muscle-bound meatheads and others. I'm sure you know the type?"

"Oh don't remind me!" Hela said, her cold air disappearing as she too laughed gaily, her face brightening up noticeably to Harry's totally unbiased eyes. "Ugh, that sort can be found among even the Vanir, let alone Aesir or the giants." Her expression darkened as a particularly irritating specimen evidently came to mind. "I remember once, there was this one moron who thought because I served Death that death itself interested me, and assumed that shoving it in my face constantly would go over well."

Hela described a somewhat similar tale that Sigyn had told Dani in the dream, only from her perspective. Harry however noted that she made no mention about her parents, either her father or mother, or even referenced them. She mentioned her siblings, including one she called Jormungundr, a name Harry hadn't heard before. He filed that away, as well as the rest, but let Jean drive the discussion, laughing as the two of them debated the merits of various means of dealing with unwanted suitors.

At last Hela shook her head as the topic ran its course and her expression grew somber once more, looking between the two of them. "But surely just talking like this isn't why you contacted me? As pleasant as it is, I doubt you have the time to waste on such frivolous things all that often, and given that young child, Melody her name is I think? Or your young apprentice, I rather like young Illyana from what I've seen of her. I doubt you'd spend it with me if you could."

"Actually spending time with you was indeed one of the reasons we called on you. Ororo met you already, and she and Harry have both mentioned your interest in him. You realize that if you wish to be with him, you'll be joining us as a family as opposed to simply marrying Harry alone, right?" Jean asked, smiling in an attempt to take some of the sting out of her words.

More and more she was getting the impression that Hela was like Emma in many ways: haughty exterior, demanding and powerful. But socially, again like Emma, Hela was a bit of a recluse: someone who had few real friends she could trust, as well as desiring a man who she could see as an equal.

"I have realized that yes, and if this is some sort of test of our compatibility, then I welcome it gladly," Hela said in reply, her rich red-painted lips curving upward in a smile. It somewhat surprised her really, but Jean and Ororo both were impressive women, and getting to know them could be pleasant even if they eventually decided against her or she decided her pride would not allow her to share.

"But actually that was only half of our reason for contacting you like this. I found out that among your people, when one is given a gift, you should respond in a similar manner." Harry said with a somewhat embarrassed smile. He tapped the mokeskin pouch on his side, looking once more at Hela for permission.

Hela nodded her permission again, her smile widening slightly at Harry's far more respectful attitude this time around. "He's learned manners since the last time we met," she said as an aside to Jean. "Well done training him."

"Ha, wish I could take the credit for that, but that's all Harry. He can be charming and even respectful when he wants to be, it's just making sure that he wants to that's the problem," Jean laughed, giving Harry an arch look.

"Ahem, as I was saying," Harry said repressively, shaking his head at the united front of womenfolk. "I have two small gifts for you Hela, in return for the magnificent and very useful gift you passed on from Death. Tell me which you prefer, one of them was my idea and the other was Ororo's. We couldn't decide between them, and frankly given how useful the globe proved we decided to go with both of them."

From his mokeskin pouch Harry pull a more generic if expanded bag of holding and held it out to Hela who took it, opening the bag to reach inside and pull a small piece of chocolate out. Jean chuckled, shaking her head. "That was Ororo's idea. Knowing you Asgardians don't have as much choice in food as we Earthmen do, she thought a supply of various sweets might be a good idea."

"It's a nice thought, if a rather generic seeming…" Hela stopped speaking, having popped the piece of chocolate into her mouth. She moaned lightly as the taste hit her, leaning back and letting her eyes flutter closed for a moment. "Oh my, I take that last bit back, that is a wonderful taste. Where does that whatever it was come from and where has it been my whole life?"

"Cocoa beans, which originally came from Mexico and the ancient Aztecs. I think they might have been around when you were on Earth last, not certain," Jean said, brow furring momentarily in thought as she tried to recall the respective timelines.

"The name doesn't ring a bell, but that really doesn't say much, we Asgardians never travelled further than our worshippers. I recall a few expeditions that crossed the ocean, but none that ventured that far south." Hela nodded pensively before popping another bit of chocolate into her mouth, moaning again before turning to Harry with a challenging smirk on her face below her mask. "Your gift is going to have to be something truly special to top that Harry."

Both her guests chuckled but Harry smirked, pulling out a large tome the size of his two hands put together. The front and back were blue leather, and the front had a small bossed dark bronze plate directly in the center surrounded by small runic script, the nature and language of which Hela didn't recognize. As he held it out he said, "Color of Magic." The words appeared in that area, and he held it up, showing the interior. "This is a magical compendium. It has the assorted works of a famous human author in it. Simply hold it, say the book you want to read, or say 'next book' and it will go to the next book. Since each book has a list of all of the books in the series at the back you should be able to navigate between them easily enough."

"Interesting, I will say I love the color. Too many people think that just because my realm is purposefully dark and dreary in places that I prefer it that way. Splashes of color like this make for a nice contrast." Looking at the book with consideration, Hela turned it around, noticing that the back had a similar bronze plate, only somewhat larger than the one on the front.

She read the description with a faint smile, before looking up at Harry, shaking her head ruefully. "A book series which includes an anthropomorphic personification of Death? I cannot fathom why you choose it for me Harry. Alas, you'll have to wait for me to actually read them before I say which gift was best."

Harry laughed, then asked carefully, "So, we've, well, you two have talked about suitors and things, and Dani told me about your brother Fenrir. What about the other siblings you're supposed to have, Sleipnir and the other one you mentioned a moment ago, what was his name again? Did you ever all live together, and if so did you get along or not? I don't have any siblings, nor does Jean."

"Jormungundr. As for us living together and getting along, I suppose I got along with Fenrir well enough. He was always a pleasant, if inquisitive youngster. His temper can be rather disturbing, but he knows who not to bite so it was never an issue," Hela mused for a moment before she laughed suddenly, leaning forward and pointing at Harry's hair. "He and you have something in common though, unmanageable hair. I remember once, he got into my hair care products in an attempt to…"

That conversation went on for some time, painting a picture of an odd family, but one that, generally speaking, got along, or at least did when all the siblings were young. While no mention was made of their mother, other than calling her a giantess at one point oddly enough, Jean made a mental note to ask Dani about that, recalling her mentioning Sigyn telling her of Hela's birth mother, Hela was able to paint a good enough picture of her sibling's personalities. Fenrir was the easiest and youngest, a rambunctious inquisitive youngster with the brain of a preteen in the body of a growing wolf.

Sleipnir was next. The oldest sibling, he was rarely at home, spending most of his time as Odin's steed. When Odin was mentioned, Hela could not keep the loathing out of her voice, and made no attempt to. Loki too, when he was mentioned, was spoken of with scorn, even hate. Nothing about him matched the picture Sigyn had given Dani, and only some of it matched the ancient tales of him that Vorlus had compiled, despite many of the tales Hela shared matching up somewhat with the ones Sigyn had shared of her.

As for Jormungundr, everything they learned about him was new, since Vorlus had not mentioned him, nor had any of Harry's own computer searches turned up the name. He was a vast sea serpent or dragon of some sort, who Hela described as arrogant, standoffish, somewhat of an oaf who was constantly thinking with his stomach. They had gotten along somewhat when they were younger, but not after Jormungundr had grown larger than their home. He had quickly become arrogant after that, looking down his snout on anyone smaller than him until he was banished somewhere by Odin. Where he was now Hela didn't know nor care.

Jean in turn shared Emma's dealings with her older sister and brother, as well as her problems with taking care of her younger sibling. Hela seemed to at first sneer somewhat at the tales and Emma herself, but as Jean detailed how Emma dealt with her father and older sister Hela seemed to gain some respect for the mortal woman or at least her methods and willingness to be ruthless when required.

But the silences were even more telling to Harry. She simply didn't seem to have any memory of Sigyn at all. Though it wasn't obvious Harry could tell the way she described some of the scenes in her story, mentioning eating or waiting for food but not who cooked it, mentioning learning some womanly skills but not who taught her, and even once someone punishing Jormungundr and Fenrir for fighting, but not giving the name of the one doing the scolding. All while Hela's tone was normal and jolly, with nothing in it to hint at a hidden anger or grief or anything of that nature, just as if the scene she described was complete without those things.

Seeing Hela becoming more maudlin as they talked, Jean decided to change the subject, asking about Niflheim and Hel in general, asking how she ruled her realm and the dead within it. Hela responded with more enthusiasm than she'd been displaying towards the end, speaking about her hall and realm for a time before cocking her head and narrowing her eyes shrewdly at Harry. "But I'm sure Harry here could tell you about ruling if you but asked. You rule a growing business empire, a growing faction of warriors and others, are building and in charge of even more. Your fame rises with every day even when you yourself are not out in the world beyond your Camelot."

"I'm no king, nor any other sort of ruler, not yet," Harry demurred, giving a shake of his hand at the idea. "I'm just a part-time businessman and warrior fighting what I see as the good fight while attempting to prepare for the next one, nothing more."

Hela and Jean both shook their heads then looked at one another before Jean waved her hand, indicating that Hela should go first. "False modesty does not become you Harry," she said sternly. "You have performed great deeds and should be proud of them. You are a leader and a commander, do not try to downplay that for it denigrates both your deeds and those who follow you." She laughed suddenly, smirking broadly as she went in for the kill. "Besides, while you don't call yourself a king that is the title given to the individual who creates the kingdom in the first place."

"She's right Harry." Jean said softly. "Besides, given what's been happening in the Middle East and the growing number of clashes there, the Israel Initiative is looking better and better. If we have to move in that direction, do you really think anyone but you is going to be in charge?"

"I realize that, and I'm not trying to downplay the accomplishments we've already achieved or that I'm in charge. I'd like to say that when it becomes time I certainly don't hesitate to show that. But I'm not a king just yet, I don't have to deal with politics or special interest groups or foreign or domestic policy or all that! Let me live free for a bit longer before tying me down to all that cursed paperwork," Harry begged plaintively, giving Jean his best puppy eyes to admittedly little effect.

Jean laughed at Harry's antics while Hela rolled her eyes even through a smile of her own, but Harry pointed at her and dramatically intoned. "And don't you start, you don't have to deal with any of that."

"Don't point your finger at me like that Harry Potter, you're the one who turned down godhood. You only have yourself to blame." The gorgeous goddess of death retorted, smacking his hand away lightly while in the background Garm chuffed to himself, sharing a glance with Hedwig before the two went back to their own conversation, ignoring the two-leggers and their odd mating rituals.

"'So," he said, desperately changing the subject, "I've met both Balder and Thor, they impressed me with their warrior skills. Can you tell me about any other Asgardians that might show up on Earth for good or ill?."

As Harry said Balder's name, Garm turned his head slightly. Bringing his nose to bear on his mistress for a moment, Garm sniffed lightly before turning away, satisfied. His initial impression was correct; Hela was in no way attracted to Balder. She might find him aesthetically pleasing, but the nose didn't lie, there had been no sign of increased interest when Harry said his name. So her interest in Balder the past few days wasn't anything more than idle musing. Good. Her interest in this young wizard however, is definitely real.

While Garm was surprised that his mistress would take notice of a mortal, he felt Harry might be better for her in the long term than the Asgardian pretty-boy, despite apparently being involved with a few females already. Garm had thought that humans didn't do that anymore, but who was he to argue if some of them had realized how sensible a pack arrangement was? And it was clear Hela was very interested in Harry. The nose doesn't lie about these things, he thought to himself contentedly.

That all this would also bring him into further contact with the snowy owl currently perched on his back was a bonus. He had so rarely met other animals which he could have intelligent conversations with.

"Hmm…" Hela pondered, letting Harry off the hook for now, not noticing Garm's sudden interest or his turning away. "I have few dealings with any other Asgardians, their treatment of my brothers and I for the bad fortune of being our father's by-blows has never been over-kind, save when we were younger. Easier to handle in other words."

She nearly spat that last sentence, and had to take a moment to calm down, smiling lightly as Harry and Jean both waited for her, making no move to help but neither looking impatient. "And most of them are leery of me for my powers. I had thought Tyr was an exception, and was even friendly with him, but then he threw Fenrir out at Odin's request. As for old One-Eye... Odin is dangerous more for his mind than battle prowess, formidable though he is in direct combat and he will never travel to Midgard. Hah, he used to move among the mortals often enough disguised as a wandering old man among other forms. But that time is long past and now he merely sits in his hall in judgement."

"The only three that truly spring to mind that you might see on Earth are the Warriors Three, Volstagg, Fandral, and Hogun. I like to think of them as the vast but strong one, the egotistical but somewhat handsome one, and the skilled but dour one."

Jean snorted at her descriptions of these 'Warriors Three'. "Is he really handsome, and is that what he's got an ego about?"

"If you like them blonde and well-groomed," Hela replied drolly, pulling up an image of Fandral in her scrying bowl for her guests to see.

After taking one look Jean shook her head. "Oh god, he's trying so hard to be handsome! I have to wonder if he's overcompensating to hide that his interests lie elsewhere."

It took a moment for Hela to get that, and when she did, she burst out laughing for several moments before getting herself under control once again. Still using her scrying pool, she showed images of the Warriors Three while describing a few adventures they were known for.

Harry noted that a few matched mythical tales that Vorlus had passed on. But the doctor had laid most of them at Tyr and Thor's feet.

He didn't interrupt though as Hela concluded her tale, "They are a pack of revelers and brawlers, interested in drink, food and valorous deeds in that order, but their loyalty to Thor is commendable. They might show up at some point, but I wouldn't worry overmuch about them causing much trouble outside the occasional wrecked tavern. Sif too might show up, but she and Thor have been oddly distant of late. None of the other Asgardians will show up on Earth without One-Eye's orders, the sheep."

Noticing Hela's darkening tone and how few true details she was giving, Harry didn't ask any more questions about that, instead changing the topic to the first few times his godfather had taken him out to drink and the mayhem that would inevitably ensue. He did note however that those three names certainly had not been mentioned among Vorlus' expanded lists of Vanir or Aesir. And he also noted the last bit about Thor and Sif, wondering if that was a hint of something bigger, or simply a sign that his worry about that was a red herring.

Frankly once again this whole conversation had served to make it even more obvious that something was wrong with the Asgardians. It's like reading my Gringotts bank statements when Dumbledick had control of it. Christ, my saving people thing™ is going haywire so much it makes me want to pull my hair out.

"By the way how exactly does this book work?" Hela asked, holding Harry's gift up to the light. Such a pretty blue color, pity it would make me look like a pale ghost if I tried to wear a color that light. "I cannot recognize the runes."

"I can well believe that, that runic array is almost entirely based on the Japanese runic language. They aren't able to handle much power, but they have a wide range of effects, and can be used on softer substances like leather and paper without burning them away."

"Truly, an entirely different runic language? I had not thought such a thing was possible. How many such languages do you know Harry?" Hela asked as she leaned forward hungrily, very interested in this new revelation. "While I am not much of a rune-smith myself, I do use them occasionally in the ruling of my realm and hall. An entirely new language which can create different effects sounds fascinating."

Harry smiled, and then went into a technical discussion for a moment. Then, wishing to get a bit more information out of this, he said, "It's funny though. I've run into nearly every runic language here in this dimension that I did in my old one, but I've not seen any Norse runes."

His host blinked behind her mask, then one hand rose to rub her forehead lightly, her face seeming to twitch a little but Hela still responded. "One-Eye might normally be stingy with his secrets and wisdom, after all they are the source of his power and even I have to admit he has paid for them over his lifetime. But he shared his runic knowledge with the people of Midgard freely on many occasions. Indeed, from what little I can remember they were a major part of the Asatru, the faith based around honoring us."

She scowled darkly and shook her head sharply, sending her luxurious black hair flying around her slightly. "For such to disappear like that is beyond the pale."

"The Christian missionaries which the Norse kings let in went out of their way to erase any sign of the faith and culture. That might be why," Jean said carefully, exchanging a concerned look with Harry.

Nodding his head, Harry checked the time. "This has been lovely, but I'm afraid we've been here for, Merlin, hours." They had been, and Harry wasn't exaggerating. It had been a lovely conversation, even without his need to sift for information.

Hela was witty, learned, interesting, drop dead gorgeous, and simply fascinating. Even after only an hour, talking to her was easy and almost natural for both Harry and Jean. Moreover she hadn't really attempted to flirt with him, simply getting to know him better. Harry didn't think she had given up on him, but Hela was definitely willing to play the long game.

"True, and I have another meeting this evening I need to get ready for. One I'm certain won't be as fascinating or fun as this one," Jean said, standing up and leaning over to exchange a hug with Hela, who, though surprised, hugged her back.

Hela stiffened slightly when Jean began to whisper in her ear, but otherwise made no sign of hearing. "This was a good start. Let's keep it slow for now until we're sure about this and everyone's had a chance to meet you as a start. We're not saying no, but we are leery of letting anything really happen without more of a foundation. And, again, it's a group decision."

"But don't think this is the last time you've seen us Hela," Jean said in a louder volume, stepping back and looking over to Harry. "I know Harry has some more questions, and I know Ororo wants to talk to you about ruling, just like Harry should when he bites the bullet."

"Ughhh…." Harry groaned, looking away with a pout, and causing both women to actually giggle. He too exchanged a hug with Hela to her palpable delight, not used to people being this friendly toward her. That she got to run her hands over Harry's well-muscled back had nothing to do with why she was enjoying the hug she told herself firmly...and she was equally firm in ignoring Garm's chuff of amusement behind her.

After a final round of goodbyes the two mortals (loosely speaking) left and Hela sighed faintly but with satisfaction. "Well that was fun, wasn't it Garm?" She asked, turning her head to look at her protector.

"You certainly had fun mistress and I enjoyed hearing you laugh so often. I rather liked speaking to Hedwig, other intelligent animals are so few and far between," Garm replied honestly, remembering some of the tales of 'her reckless human' the somewhat beleaguered owl had decided to share.

Neither of them noticed the Shadows in the room lengthening or moving toward them. While unable to erase this memory entirely from Hela's mind, the Shadows Which Watch Above, they who controlled the Asgardians in their endless cycle, could force her to think of the meeting as nothing more than old business for Death coming to a conclusion, and even downplay her interest in Harry. Or perhaps change that interest somewhat, shift it over to Balder. It would take subtlety and power, but they had both in spades.

That was the plan anyway. It ended abruptly, the Shadows retreating with the near-psychic equivalent of screams as Death herself appeared next to Hela. She whirled around, bowing swiftly to her mistress. "Mistress, to what do I owe this pleasure?"

Death merely held out a hand imperiously, gesturing to the blue leather bound book Hela still held in her hand. Hela looked at it, then to Death and smiled, handing it over. Death nodded, then moved back to Hela's throne, sitting down on it effortlessly, perforce requiring Hela to sit in one of the chairs Harry had conjured. Which she did, taking out the bag of holding and popping another chocolate into her mouth as Death began to read.

Only once did Death's eyes, those orbs of bottomless blue light, look away from the book. They flicked up staring into the shadows of Hela's hall before looking back down at the book, satisfied.

OOOOOOO

Two days after Jean's return, Doctor Doom, Harry, Jean and Reed met with Carol's team of designers. The think tank had expanded tremendously over the past two days, though not as quickly as it could have given the secrecy that Harry still had to follow on his space-based projects. While the Custodes Mundi had gotten a lot of good publicity the governments of the world were still not exactly happy with a power like them which didn't answer to any of them, something which would get significantly worse if they realized how many space assets Harry already had.

Thanks to the influx of new blood Carol had made the decision to split her teams up. Carol still led one group personally, the reverse-engineering group, which had grown to nearly sixty people now. Most of them were new of course and still getting their feet under them but all of them had passed the security reviews, magical and mundane, just like the rest of the new blood across the board. All told there were over four hundred scientists, engineers and ship designers working for Harry now, with the number growing slowly but surely on a daily basis.

The influx of so many 'medium sized brains' as one wit put it had been noticed by many in the intelligence community of course. A few, Mossad, the CIA and SHIELD in particular, had attempted to get some of their own people into the growing think tank, only for them to be ousted early on in the hiring process. Even that however had allayed some of their concerns about this being an AIM operation, though Harry felt it was just a matter of time before either AIM tried to attack his people directly or someone decided to be upfront and simply demand answers to what the think tank was doing.

Another group had been broken off to handle the design of the Ravenspires. Despite the near-total destruction of most of the first batch, some things had been learned in their construction, and Agda and Jerry were confident they could both excavate the next group quicker and make them actually defensible faster. It also helped that they both were looking at it from the perspective of using construction droids for the initial work of mining the spires out, then handing over everything else to human workers, which hopefully by that point would be ready to step into that job.

Carol felt certain that they would be able to start designing human warships using the Kree designs quickly. She was due to join Jean and the others for this meeting to talk about that, but had yet to arrive. Carol had reacted badly to the long range teleportation, and Harry had left her in the nearest bathroom puking her guts out.

"I must say Mister Potter, the fleet you, or rather Ms. Grey has assembled is impressive." Doom waited a moment then went on, swirling his fire whiskey in his glass. He had taken a shine to it, and his efforts to create his own version had heretofore failed. "Until you think about the size of the enemy fleets we might be facing. My own contribution of course should be able to allow us to at least achieve tactical surprise once it has been built, and any fleet that stays in one position for too long we can destroy, but how long will we be able to rely on my device being a surprise?"

Doctor Doom shot a sideways glance at Reed, smirking behind his mask. That Doom had been a larger contributor to the defense of the earth and to Potter's plans long-term was something that amused him greatly, and he could not stop himself from poking fun at his rival.

"A true point, but I'm more worried about setting up our space-based infrastructure as fast as possible. I've already thought of several ways we can use your Hyperspace Distortion device without letting on its full ability." Harry said, not looking up from where he was fiddling with the controls of one of the screens, trying to set it up for the presentation that he and Jean were going to be doing. "Should've done this before," he muttered, "but I wanted to do a final survey of the ships with Carol."

"You really do need to learn how to delegate more," Doom said shaking his head. "A good king knows what to delegate and what can't be delegated." That Doom would've delegated setting up the TV screen for this meeting to a subordinate was left unsaid, as was the fact that he probably wouldn't have been able to ignore his own interest in the ships. Let the younger man take his critique anyway he would.

"I'm getting better at it," Harry said rather defensively. "My businesses mostly run themselves by this point, and eventually even the industrial side of my space-based ventures will be able to, once we have enough of a work force. It's just we're not there yet."

"And you were interested in the ships," Reed said. "Trust me I understand that."

"The Doombringer is of particular interest, and not just because of its name," Doom said setting down his glass with a light tap on the desk, then running one finger around the edge of it, the metal of his gauntlet making a squeaking noise against the glass. "That ship concerns me because of what it represents." He had personally looked at the armor that ship had, and it was both heavier and tougher than anything Earth could make in the foreseeable future.

"It is a monstrously tough ship," Reed said with a nod. "That ship alone could slag everything else we were able to retrieve without blinking."

"We stole them you mean," Harry said with a laugh, sitting down as the door opened once again revealing Jean, who came in quickly followed by Doctor Banner and a still queasy looking Carol.

Bruce stopped, staring at the sight of Richards and Doom sitting at the same conference table, suddenly wondering if he had somehow entered the twilight zone between one teleportation and the next. He stared at Harry then over at the two 'scientists' again, shaking his head. "You really are a miracle worker."

Harry chuckled understanding what the man was saying, while Doom and Reed pointedly did not rise to the bait. They didn't like one another, and probably never would, but they respected each other, and when it came to space-based endeavors with Harry was willing to put their animosity aside. At least when Harry was around to act like a living wall between them anyway.

"Before we begin your presentation Ms. Grey," Doom said, nodding his head to the redhead. "Might I inquire what it would take to buy a few of the frigates you brought back?"

"What would you use them for?" Harry asked cocking his head. "You've already got a battlecruiser."

"Indeed I do but its sensors are insufficient for what I wish to use it for. I would like to survey the Oort cloud, as well as take a close look at several of the planets in the outer system."

"Harry, ask him about the specific planets he wants to investigate," Jean asked quickly.

Harry did so, making no outward sign of the telepathic connection. Doom frowned for a moment then shrugged his shoulders, his armor moving in exact parity of the move. "I have two goals for this survey mission. One, planetary knowledge is something that we need to learn about if humanity is ever to spread to the stars. Long term but small scale surveys like the NASA probes just won't do. There are also hundreds of minor mysteries about the outer planets that we could solve. For example, Titan and Ganymede interest me greatly, given some of the secret NASA recordings of missions toward them I've seen. And why do rumors of Venus having a moon still persist today despite there being no proven evidence of such? Not to sound like those moronic conspiracy theorists, but there are questions we need to answer."

Reed shifted uneasily in his chair, something that both Harry and Doom spotted along with Jean. "Something you want to share with the class Reed?" Harry asked cocking his head to one side.

"Nothing that I can share in good conscience without breaking my word to other people," Reed said obliquely.

Doom filed that away, then began to go over what he knew about the Fantastic Four's other enemies and adventures. It was easy from that point to make the connection. "The Inhumans, Crystal, Medusa and that lot," Harry said getting it at the same time Doom did. "They aren't based on Mars surely?"

"No not on Mars, but that is all I am willing to say. I'm sorry, but I gave my word."

"You realize that the more we move into space the more likely it is we will spot them wherever they are, however they've hidden themselves up to this point?" Harry asked.

"I realize that, and I've been trying to get in touch with Black Bolt since we returned about that very subject. I wanted to set up a meeting between the two of you so you could assure him that you had no designs against his people, and so he wouldn't react badly if one of your ships did spot their home. But they haven't responded yet. Indeed, neither Medusa nor Crystal have shown up since a few days before we returned apparently."

Harry nodded slowly. "They would be a major help you know," he said fishing slightly. "Their own tech-base and possible origins might make them more at home with working in space."

"That will be between you and Black Bolt if I can ever set up a meeting with him," Reed said scowling a bit. "One of the agreements we had reached between us was to keep an open line of communications, especially given Crystal and her ongoing treatment for her time with that mad alchemist. Johnny has not been happy about that to put it mildly."

Harry nodded, though he hadn't noticed anything about Johnny's attitude the last time they had seen one another. "We'll leave that aside for now then, since we are getting sidetracked here. So scientific curiosity is the only reason you want those ships Doctor do? Forgive me if I'm skeptical."

"Skepticism can be a survival trait. Although," Doom said, his tone going from deadpan to slightly whimsical "I do quite like the idea of publishing the next great paleontology study, and of course shattering some long-held beliefs in the scientific community. The idea of the screams of outrage our fellow so-called scientists would make at that warms my heart."

Reed actually chuckled at that, and Banner's eyes widened. Reed and Doom actually sharing a joke, god I really have entered the twilight zone.

"He's lying about something Harry, I can feel it even through his mental defenses. But it isn't anything aimed at us, though I wish I could be more certain of that. Nevermind, let's just table that discussion for now." Jean sent, to which Harry sent a mental affirmative back down their mental connection.

With that of the way, Harry turned the presentation over to Jean. She quickly went through the most interesting items they had discovered while bringing the derelict fleet back to Earth, which included an analysis of the ships different types of armor, the fuel they all used, and how they could power them better.

"Arc reactors would give each ship the size of a cruiser a 320% greater output, putting two reactors on such ships, one for the engines and defense one for weapons loadout might possibly be the best idea, even though we'll lose at least half the interior capacity or offensive weaponry." Jean said, pulling up some plans that she and Carol's planning group had come up with already. "Thanks to having the Hellion's design to work with, Carol and her team have even begun a design to match that idea.

"It will take a while to perfect the design once we start to get down to the nuts and bolts of it, but I think Earth-based ships could potentially be as good as two or even three Kree ships. We'd still be sucking wind given the sheer number of ships they can send against us, but it's a better idea than going with their own designs."

From there Carol and Jean took turns, pointing out mistakes in the Kree designs and going into detail on the differences between them and the initial Terran design. What it boiled down to was fewer but more powerful weapons and the defense of the Terran ships being designed to emphasize defense over offense.

"What I would recommend is we set aside eight of the most damaged ships as testbeds for this basic concept." Jean said, bringing up the ships one after another. This consisted of three light cruisers, two heavy cruisers, two battlecruisers, and one battleship. The last was one the list because a survey of it had reported that while it had come through the trip to Earth, its engines and shields both had sustained damage.

"For the others I'd recommend we concentrate on repairing them to full capacity without any sort of refit work, starting with the Doombringer."

Doom asked Jean and Carol several questions, some of which Reed helped field. Dr. Banner too asked a few questions about the Kree shielding technology in particular. Then Reed took over the discussion with Jean speaking occasionally, talking about the weapons of the Kree, and a few designs for better weapons or versions than the Kree. Two of them were interesting in particular, one which Reed called a Graviton beam and the second the positron beam.

The graviton beam was a gravitonic weapon made to exert shearing gravitonic forces on the targeted ship. Reed was unclear what it would do against a shield, but estimated it would be impressive. The positron beam would hit and create a fission event in any matter it struck. It would be nearly useless against energy shields however, and both weapons were energy guzzlers.

After that, Harry took over. He did not continue discussion about the fleet or weapons, Jean and Reed had covered those points well enough. Instead Harry talked first about their growing industrial capacity and his overall plans for it. He didn't give any details, just enough to let his allies know a time table going forward, the timetables for getting the fleet repaired following Jean's recommendations, the amount of industrial capacity he was using to create more industry, and that he was indeed concentrating on fully outfitting a Ravenspire this time instead spreading his limited work force out.

After that he began to tap commands into the conference room's computer and a view of the Milky Way galaxy popped up, the entire spiral arm and then some in miniature. "Okay, this first part is going to be sucha wide synopsis it barely qualifies, but Douglas and Sage were able to put this strategic overview together by piecing together bits of astrogational data from all of the ships Jean and Reed brought back, and I've been going over it with them since in my copious spare time."

His droll tone won a chuckle from Reed while Doom simply made a get on with it gesture. Harry did so, punching in a few keys. Each time he did, the hologram updated itself. "First, this is an overview of what we know of Kree, Skrull and Shi'ar space. It's not entirely accurate, but it can give us an idea of the size of the empires we're talking about here. The green is Skrull space, the blue Kree, the orange Shi'ar, and the Badoon over here in pink. The white dots mark battles these ships took part in, the blinking dots mark the battles they were heavily damaged in prior to decommission. Shi'ar space is obviously the most iffy, as are the Badoon."

Harry waited a moment, letting the enormity of the space involved with these fleets, the size of the empires sink in, before going on. He detailed what they had learned of a few individual Kree systems from the ships, which included the type designation of many of them, then a few things about the systems along the borders, which of them were dead systems, which had refueling stations, that kind of thing. He also detailed a few fleet bases, before pulling up the list Douglas and Reed had found on the Doombringer's system.

"That, plus the list of what a main battle fleet looks like, gives us an idea of what we're facing. And here is little old Earth." Another punch of a button, and one of the symbols denoting star systems glowed bright yellow, pulsing. As they had thought, it wasn't actually inside any of the empires, rather set in a small dead zone to one side of the main areas of contention, an area where none of the empires seemed to have any control, and somewhat close to the beginning of a spike of space from the Shi'ar Empire, which was set somewhat above and to the left of Earth.

Doom understood the implications immediately. "Ah. The Skrull and Kree are somewhat interested in Earth because we would make a good forward base around the edge of the so-called front lines. But we're so far out of the way they don't want to devote resources to the idea. I wonder if the loss of that last flotilla will force them to rethink their priorities?"

"We have at least a month and a half before any response to their flotilla's death can arrive since we stopped them sending off any of their hyperspace drones. I think we can handle one, maybe two more attacks on our own without the rest of the world getting behind the idea of space defense and pushing for support for our own or their own programs. Though that brings its own set of problems, obviously." Harry said with a shrug. "Before we get into that however, I found something interesting. Eventually we might be able to find some allies."

He moved his finger gently through the hologram, demarking a large almost sphere-like area of space. It was nowhere near Earth, but it also wasn't under the control of any of the empires, a blank sector of space with the closest empire being the Badoon. "This isn't unknown space as we first thought given the data from the Hellion, it is Independent system space. This area is populated by dozens, maybe hundreds of races. None of them alone could hope to stand against the big empires, but they are out of the way from most of them save the Badoon."

"One of the battlecruisers was part of a mission to this sector of space, and its computer was rather helpful once Sage and Douglas got to work with it. Apparently these systems have banded together in mutual defense treaties to keep out influence from any of the big powers. I doubt that would be enough if any of the big four wanted that space and were willing to pay for it in blood. Yet we might have allies here in the future if we can figure out a way to get to them and back and of course if we have something to trade."

Reed made to speak for a moment then subsided, staring at the hologram. Harry and Doom both noticed this, but made no comment. After a second, Harry continued. "Now to get back to the matter at hand. We're doing as much as we can to enlarge our industrial capacity, but even so, we might not have the defenses in place to stop the next Kree fleet."

"Actually we could probably finish work on the defenses and weapons of some of the Ravenspires by then. Our decision to concentrate on a few of them at a time and the fact Forge 2 is up and running already means we'll be able to put in weapons and shields as we go," Jean broke in.

"True, but we can't assume that. No, I've come up with another way of stopping them." Harry smirked evilly. "I took a chunk of the Doombringer's armor and tested a little theory on it, and I think a bit of magic and the use of Dr. Doom's hyperspace interdiction device can see off the next fleet easily enough, so long as we see them coming."

"I've made some headway on the long range communication device Harry, but it won't be ready for a while yet," Reed objected. "You've no idea how much research that's going to take!"

"That's fine, you have a month and a half to get it ready," Harry replied bluntly, smirking slightly as Reed grimaced, but nodded. "To that end, in two week's time I'm going to pull half our droid workforce off every other project and throw them into creating our part of the project. Your Majesty, Jean, will your parts of that be ready to go?"

"My plans for the device are completed and ready, so long as you can provide the energy for it. Where exactly are you going to put it?" Doom asked.

"Pluto for now. We might want to think about putting it somewhere else later on, but Pluto will do for now."

"I don't suppose you're willing to share what kind of magic you think can destroy an entire Kree fleet?" Doom asked.

"No, just that it actually is kind of simple if you think about it. I call it operation skeet shoot." Harry smirked. "Anyone else have anything to share?"

"I do actually. Working on that telepathic communication device reminded me of the blood you gave me to look at before we rescued that young purple-haired mutant." Reed said, taking out a small memory stick and plugging it into the table in front of him as Harry relinquished control of the computer to him. A second later two genetic samples popped up on the screen. "The one on the right is the one you gave me Harry, the one on the left is from a Skrull infiltrator."

The others at the conference table leaned forward, staring, and Doom was the one to get it first. "They share far too many points for it to be coincidence. I take it this individual was a shapechanger of some kind Potter?"

"Yes, or rather she was posing as a human woman. A woman who had magical powers actually," Harry murmured. "But when she died and reverted, she didn't look like a Skrull."

"I don't think we're talking about a Skrull here. I think this whatever it was is an offshoot of the Skrull race. Moreover, I think they diverged millennia ago. Just a hunch really, but I don't think this group has evolved as much as the Skrull have, and might not be able to change their forms as freely. I honestly have no idea what that could mean. I am trying to come up with a security system that would be able to detect them, but that is going to take some time. I could pick them out via a blood sample, but not through a simple body or brain scan. Where did that sample come from again?"

"Russia, specifically she was part of a government sponsored superhero team which was part of torturing and experimenting on mutants, and the creation of Iron Man knockoffs," Harry mused, thinking of magical means of detecting individuals with similar blood. "How likely is it that there are more of these things out there?"

"Not very, most Skrull infiltrators work alone or in small groups of four, and they would need to remain in near constant contact with their empire, something which I would have spotted by now with my scanners." Reed shrugged. "I imagine however that if there are they would concentrate on one nation at a time, so if there are more, they will be in Russia."

"That might eventually have impact on what I would like to speak of. Because my spies believe that the Red Skull has retreated to Croatia. And if I move against him there, Russia will no doubt take umbrage at my interference in what they still consider their backyard. If that occurs, I might start infiltrating their government with some of my doombots sent in spy mode. The DNA scanner you mentioned might be useful then Richards."

Reed nodded and Doom went on. "I can stop that easily enough. Latveria's military might be small, but we are very advanced. The issue I wished to speak of however… "

The metal-clad monarch looked uncomfortable for a moment before going on. "As you know I have been annexing territory from the countries surrounding Latveria in an attempt to hunt down the Red Skull. I know that this has concerned you Richards, but the people of those territories have not had reason to worry about my rule thus far. But I have… come to the limits of my resources in seeing to their administration. Thus I am searching for various resources there, technology Latveria can provide but food, transportation, construction and other resources of that nature it cannot just yet."

"Hmm…" Harry mused then smiled evilly. "Heh, I might have an idea there, your Majesty…"

OOOOOOO

Magneto sighed faintly as he stood in front of the magnificent window that dominated half of his throne room. He didn't honestly call it a throne room, but more than a few of his Acolytes had come to call it that in the past few weeks. Really their attitude towards Erik was sometimes off-putting, but for the most part rather… gratifying.

At least now that that traitorous snake in the grass Fabian Cortez is dead, and with him those who deify me will hopefully stop, such things can be taken too far after all. If not for my suspicions and Zaladane's magical powers he might've gotten away with his plans to usurp my position. Magneto thought coldly. He really was quite good at brown nosing, and organizing.

It was Fabian who had organized the supply runs, found the ancient submarine for the last leg of them, and, even before Magneto's move to the Savage Land, had been the chief trainer and organizer for his Acolytes, the combat-only arm of Magneto's Brotherhood movement. His power to amplify other mutant's powers also had been useful. But that wasn't enough to save him from Magneto's wrath when Magneto found out he had been trying to foster a sense of addiction on Magneto through use of his booster powers.

Still, even now he serves the cause. Erik thought, looking towards a doorway which led into a series of laboratories, in one of which Fabian Cortez' desiccated corpse lay in a chair hooked up to several devices of Erik's design. Magneto had found out how to heighten mutant powers through dissecting Cortez, and had added that into his new mutation-awakening machine, which had helped to create his growing army of mutates.

But that was not the reason for Magneto's present pleasure. No, that came from the last of the resistance against him in this Savage Land being crushed. Admittedly that had come with a few surprises, namely the two prisoners that were hovering in the air in the middle of the throne room, each of them encapsulated by a bubble of pure magnetic force. They were not a threat to him of course, but they had stood against Erik, and his conquest of the Savage Land along with Ka-zar.

Yes Ka-zar, Magneto thought, turning to stare at the two prisoners. Only one of them was awake, Logan's healing factor having healed him almost immediately while his friend had fallen into unconsciousness because of his own wounds.

"I wish Ka-zar had lived," Erik said aloud. "Delusional he might have been, and normal human he was, but he was also a skilled tactician and warrior. I could've made use of him just as I will make use of Shanna."

"Why don't you remove this damn field and we'll see you which of us will make 'use' of the other," Logan growled, his claws popping out from between his knuckles.

"I think not," Magneto replied dryly. "Given our respective powers, I think you know full well how that would end. Still Shanna at least will be useful but you two..." He shook his head regretfully. "Your skills would be useful indeed but I'm afraid that any attempts to convince you two of the rightness of my cause would be futile."

At that Puck opened his eyes, shocking Magneto slightly who had not thought that the short acrobatic mutant had it in him to be awake after taking such pummeling. Puck had sustained injuries ranging from internal bleeding up to and through shattered legs, and a missing eye. The last battle between Ka-zar and his guerrillas against Magneto's growing army had not been for the weak of heart.

When Puck spoke his voice was rasping with pain, his Quebec accent even more pronounced than normal, but his words were clear enough. "When I first 'eard of you and y'r fight for mutan' rights, I was intrigued and impressed. But evar since, 'ou 'ave fallen deeper into the trap of false logic, that raising one group means putting down the ozer. Now you've taken to conques' and brute force. What makes you so different from any other supremacist group in the world!? You are no better than Hitler!"

Magneto saw red. How dare this little man compare Erik, who had lived through the Holocaust, to Hitler! It was an effort of will not to send any of the several metallic objects in the room straight into the man's skull, and for a moment Erik stood there, his teeth gritted, his fists clenching breathing deeply in and out.

"You speak out of ignorance," he said through clenched teeth. "Hitler wanted to wipe out the Jews. I simply want to protect mutants from normals by striking first. And do you honestly think any of the groups in the Savage Land were saints? The Sun People had a religion based on human sacrifice, the Lizard People were cannibals who ate every other race in the Savage land, and the Man Apes were xenophobic in the extreme."

Erik smiled, his temper under control once more at this reminder of his victory. "All I've done is consolidate them under my banner." And the mutates will keep my fellow mutants from dying he thought but did not say aloud. Only a few of the mutates had truly useful powers but most of them had enhanced strength or speed which made them good cannon fodder.

"Couch it however you 'ish, but you're not fighting for mutant equality, you're fighting for mutant zupremacy, and zat is the same as Hitler wiz his Aryan race!" Puck said, before lapsing into silence, blood bubbling out of his mouth. He had a healing factor, but it was nowhere near Logan's, and his injuries had been equally severe.

"Truly, you would've made a good addition to the cause," Erik said shaking his head in admiration of the other man's strength of will. Even if his thoughts and desires were so totally misinformed.

Again he idly wondered if Mastermind and Zaladane between them could turn these two to his cause. Good lieutenants were always so hard to find, and given the news he'd been hearing of the outer world recently he would need every good lieutenant he could muster.

He'd been astonished to learn of Sabertooth's death along with a few others, but what truly worried him was the Custodes Mundi. He knew that Guardian was Potter, and knew his long term goals of equality were so stupidly unrealistic it astonished Erik how such a man could still follow them. The violence springing up in nearly every country, and more importantly Africa, Russia, China and the Middle East proved Erik's point for him, but Potter was too blind to see it, just like Charles and his X-men.

Deciding to wait on that decision until he could talk to Mastermind in person, Erik sighed and waved a hand towards a few of his Acolytes standing by the door. "Take them away, chain them up somewhere for now, I will speak to Mastermind about them when he returns. They are Homo Superior like us after all, they deserve for us to at least attempt to bring them about to the rightness of our cause."

The Acolytes bowed quickly and moved forward pushing the spheres containing the prisoners out of the room. This left Magneto with his top lieutenants, Exodus his second-in-command, Zaladane the former Priestess of the Sun People and Erik's first ally in the Savage Land, and Sauron.

Sauron, Erik knew, was untrustworthy but his mutant power and his leadership of the Ptero People forced Erik to make him a commander in his growing army. Thankfully his own powers protected him from Sauron's power of absorbing mutant powers or life force, so long as he kept the pterodactyl-like mutant at a distance that is. Both his other commanders also had their own ability to counter the treacherous energy vampire, and Sauron knew it.

Turning away Magneto stared out over the Savage Land for a moment again, staring at the pillar of advanced technology which could barely be seen in the distance of the impossibly large underground cavern that was the Savage Land. He had not yet made much progress on studying that technology, the war against the other factions in the Savage Land had taken precedence unfortunately, and Erik knew he could no longer put off rejoining the world, too many of his fellow mutants were dying out there.

"With Ka-zar and his guerrillas finally finished master, what are our priorities now?" Exodus said after a moment.

Magneto turned to smile at him, grateful yet again that he had released the powerful mutant and convinced Exodus of the rightness of his cause. Ever since then Exodus had been his most powerful ally and follower, and his most loyal.