Rooms

Will waking up to strange situations and places ever be something I get used to? Or is the real question if I want to get used to it?

[Right after this, and before meeting Bucky re: Clint.]

[Locked to Bucky B]
Buck—I could use your help. I'm [...] not feeling well, but a couple people, likely infected, need assistance. [He jots in the address.] Can you get the antitoxin to them, maybe get them somewhere someone will care for them?

[Locked to Preston R]
We found Saint.

ETA: [Locked to Thor]
[A forward of this.]

[There was less of the city burning now than there was before. Asymmetric knotwork glowed beneath his boots, a brand that the Bifrost left on Midgard wherever it touched, like the graffiti he had seen painted across buildings and bridges, underpasses and overpasses in the past week. There had been little time to truly look, but he had caught glimpses and splashes between quelling the riots, moving mortals to the zones, and flying to the next uprising. They were not the fights he longed for, nor the opponents he would have wished for if they had been well.

Nor was his fight with the one he was going to meet. Mjolnir swung by the strap at his wrist once, twice, and the handle of her fit into his palm as it always did before he was in the air and speeding towards the address Loki had given him, his cape a comet's tail, the sound of it snapping lost in the rush of the wind.

He slowed as he neared the roof where Loki said he'd be, the last of the speed gone with his first few footsteps, graceless and bracing on the rough top of the building.]

[Tony had turned the healing chamber into a small construction zone following the news that Pepper was one of the ill. Destroying tapestry and furniture, he'd manufactured wire out of gold thread, insulation from the tuning forks on either side of the soulforge. He'd also appropriated the nanotechnology for his own means. He had managed to achieve this time alone by essentially offending everyone so they went away and gave him a few hours on his own. (He'd been exaggerating about the nurses. Eir's assistants were very beautiful, but to a one, shy enough to take him seriously when he was being Tony Stark, Spoiled Asshole Flirt.)

The soulforge used quantum fields and moved molecular energy, but it used nanotechnology to replicate those fields in a display and interface for Eir and her seven assistants. Tony used it to take things apart and put them together again, because he'd discovered he couldn't stand long and couldn't walk far--too long asleep, probably. He didn't have time to run in place for a week and build his strength back up, so he built something that would help him move.

Tony carved the glowing table into three pieces to fashion a sort of chair, hooked the whole thing up to the battery in his chest, and collected his phone, two pillows and a blanket. He used the nanoparticles to very cautiously generate a magnetic field to hover the chair off the ground and keep him from getting jarred out of it. It was enough to get him across the ground, anyway. He started maneuvering himself out of Thor's palace. It's not like the big rainbow bridge was going to be that hard to find.]

...Should of packed a couple spare axles, some quinine and a yoke of oxen.

[Locked to Avengers who aren't infected]

It's done. The SHIELD scientists, CDC, and I went over it as many times as it took to be positive, and we are now. We're all generating as much of it as we can. The recovery process will depend on the severity of where they are at now, but the most dangerous cases should be treated first. There will be people out there who resist help, especially if they are in later stages. Thank you everyone for your tireless work. I almost feel like another taco night will be in order after this is all finished and the city is safe again. I'll be getting everything made and ready for distribution. Steve, let me know if you need anything more from this end.

[Locked to Steve Rogers, Bruce Wayne, Eddie Nigma.]

Bruce that component you gave was the key. We've figured it out, we'll be getting it all together now. I'll transfer all of our final data and information to you two in case it comes up in your door for whatever reason down the road. Thank you.

As for Crane, I wasn't sure if there was an official decision made on where he should go from here, but we cleaned him up and he should be able to have a proper burial, if that's the next step. It might take a little time for procedure to make sure he won't be carrying anything.

For an update on Selina, she came in safely, but she was in the latest stage. It will take more time for her body to respond to the cure, especially since she was sick and weak from the zombie door before this happened. I'm confident she'll make a full recovery in time if all goes well, it's hard to say right now, but I'm not sure she'll be coherent enough to reach out for at least a few days. Earlier if we're lucky.

[Locked to Loki]

Did you find him, brother?

[Thought at Preston R]
Checking in again.

[Locked to Bucky B]
Bucky, please check in with me.

[Comm: Avengers+ (sans infected)/locked to Rocket & Alison V (separately)]
ETA: [Rocket is added to the comms following this.]

Crane is dead. We have his body in custody for lab work. (Do not answer any questions from anyone regarding him. As far as they're concerned, for the moment, we know nothing.) His girlfriend, however, Becky L, is still at large. [Steve sends everyone the visuals provided by Eddie.]

We need to find her fast. Alison V, a woman assisting us, is going to reach out to her, as they've talked before. If you see Becky L, let me know.

On top of that, we need to figure out how to get those infected among us to Stark Tower. Dr. Banner is close on the cure. Rocket is going to be our transport. He's been patched in to comms. Let him know where he's needed, and he'll pick you and whoever you have up and take you to the Tower.

Updates on various pursuits?

[Locked to Charles X]
Sir, I was wondering if I could ask for your assistance.

[Locked to Eddie N + Dick G + Jason T + Bruce W]
Crane is dead. Killed, we think, by Selina, who's now in Stark Tower. We're getting people on finding Becky L, the man's girlfriend, ASAP. Dr. Banner is close with the cure.

[The usual dump of articles, news, CDC updates included.]

[Later comm: Sharon C]
[Quietly.] Sharon?

[Locked to self]
Carol -- ST
James -- no update -- ST
Selina -- en route to ST
Wanda -- pursued by P. X -- no update
Sam -- no update -- ST
Peter -- AWOL -- pursued by Drew
Jack -- AWOL
Gwen -- sedated -- ST
Sharon -- sedated -- ST
Pepper -- sedated -- ST
Bucky -- AWOL
Mary Jane -- AWOL ST
Billy -- AWOL (w/ Wanda)
Loki

[Avengers +]
How many of us are infected?


[Clint B]
Are you alright?

[Locked to self]
Carol -- no update/AWOL pursued by Drew -- Central Park
James -- no update (with Romanoff?) -- ST
Selina -- blood given -- contact Wayne
Wanda -- no update/AWOL -- DO NOT ENGAGE
Sam -- no update -- ST
Peter -- no update -- ST
Jack -- no update -- ST
Gwen -- to be sedated -- ST
Sharon -- ST
Pepper -- ST

Loki

---

Flu-like symptoms not present. Fatigued. Dehydrated. Some nausea. Clear-headed.
No food in 48h.

[Added in later.] Headache. Low-to-medium grade.

[Locked to Bruce W]
I saw Selina. She's afflicted, but she's doing okay. She gave me some blood for testing.

We have the National Guard, CDC, and S.H.I.E.L.D. on the ground. The streets are getting clearer by the day. An estimated third of the population is currently infected (~3,000,000) and spreading fast. It is still very unadvised to come through the door. Trajectory estimates of origin place it on one person, spreading it throughout the City. Dr. Banner and Ms. Stacy have found nothing consistent, no one thing, in their blood work, and have identified instead four different infections/strains. They are currently moving on to brain scans. I can have Dr. Banner contact you with more information, if you'd like.

Do you know of any close associates Dr. Crane might infect to do his dirty work for him?

[After this.]
ETA: Everyone has made finding Crane priority, outside of the CDC. Gwen Stacy suggested it, as he's likely immune, but unlikely to leave without watching all of his hard work pay off. If we can get some of his blood, the chances of finding a cure or [...] vaccination are much, much higher.

[Locked to Jess D]
Status? Wanda warned me not to trust you. Steer clear of her.

[Locked to Wanda M]
Status, Wanda?

[Locked to Bucky B]
Status on Barton?

ETA: [Comms to Thor & Tony S]
We have men on the ground looking out for Crane, but, Stark, if you could get a suit or two on it—either to help cover the loss of manpower at posts or, actually in the field; and Thor, if you and Torunn could also assist.

ETA: [Locked to Rocket]
[As Captain America.]
Sir? It's Steve Rogers.

[Locked to Loki]
[After this.]

Brother Loki?

[Avengers comm, transcribed to Avengers lock on journals]

Status.

[Locked to Torunn]

Daughter?

[Locked to Bruce B & Tony S]
[He forwards the link of information sent to him by Selina. (Tony is included, because he thinks it'll be good for him to have something to do.)] I'm going to go try and gather whatever it is he left behind. Should I be looking for anything specific?

[Locked to Avengers+]
We might well have a man, named Crane, alias Scarecrow, from the DC door here with us. He's a sadist who deals in fear. He drugs people for fun, to terrify them. According to a credible source, "[w]hen he was testing things in your world, he doused a school with something to make the children fearless, just to see what they'd do. Then, he used a stronger version on us. He likes fear gas best. He has a particular fondness for straightjackets and cells and needles, all in conjunction, preferably."

I will attach a visual when I get one. [Pictures provided by Dick, five in total, of one Dr. Crane, attached.] I am in contact with people from the DC door about his presence here.

Note: We are not apprehending this man, as there's no evidence of a crime that is not circumstantial as of yet. But we are to be on the lookout for him. With the strangeness on the news today, I think that's the least we can do.

He has a few abandoned labs around, locations that should be watched or patrolled, just in case, as he's currently in the wind. There's is one laboratory each, in: Harlem, Chinatown, Bronx, and Midtown. Anyone up for it?

ETA: [Locked to Bucky B & Sam W]
[During this.]

You boys up for trailing Barton? The coordinates for the lab in Harlem I give him aren't going to be the correct ones. I'll be watching that one myself. We'll see if the misinformation permeates anywhere.

ETA 2.0: [Locked to Gwen S]
Ms. Stacy?

ETA 3.0: [Locked to Peter P]
[During this.]

Peter, can you make it to Stark Tower to meet Jack?

[Locked to Tony S.]
[He does not expect a response, but he will deliver the messages.]

Contact:
Banner
Lady Pepper - who is angry (at us, not you)
Lady Selina - who is also angry and hates all penises
Steven - would likely appreciate hearing from you, when you are ready

They all know that you are on Asgard.

[Locked to Loki]

[Wunjo but strangely enough, with a question mark after it.]

[Locked to Carol D.]
[After this.]

Steven and I were wondering if you might like to spar with us, Lady Carol?

[Locked to Selina K]

Lady Selina.

[Collectively: Avengers]

Did I see the news correctly: we were invaded once again but this time it's not a national emergency?

[Steve R]

I'm checking in, Steve. How are you doing? [And edit: expanded to Thor]

Can you let Bruce see Tony, please.

[MJ W]

This sounds like insanity but I actually miss the sound of Manhattan traffic. [...] Gwen Stacy woke up.

[Bruce B]

Requisite check that you're alive, eating and have slept in the last two days.

[Selina K]

Bruce and I have made amends and begun afresh, can and you and I start over without needing an alien invasion to do it?

[Added later: Tony S]

You're awake?

[Locked to Thor, Steve Rogers]

Thor, can I please come up to Asgard to see Tony?

[During this, and with panic rising on the streets because of the city's recent history with alien attacks...:]

[Over comms, & transcribed, locked to Avengers+ (all)]

[After this, the transcription is scratched out--though all the conversation appears.]

There is an unidentified flying object currently above Midtown. It is a massive ship. There has been no attack thus far and the thing is currently moving toward the Bronx. [Aliens. Sigh. Again.]

Sharon, can you work with S.H.I.E.L.D. and the National Guard? We don't know if these are friendlies, but I don't think now is the time to give the benefit of the doubt to any visitors.

We need a couple of fliers to Midtown to trail the thing. Danvers, Drew, Thor, Torunn, Wanda? Any or all of you. Keep your distance, unless contact is initiated. They may not be hostile, so do not strike unless they strike first.

Barton, Parker—can you keep your eyes on the thing from on high, be our eyes in the sky, but from afar, in case we need to begin evacuating civilians?

Some people should stay at the Tower—Natasha, Bucky?

I'm going to try to work with Sharon on coordination on the ground. Everyone else, eyes peeled, at the ready.

Update: we are not being invaded again. It's just a raccoon.

[After this.]

[Locked to Avengers+, sans Bruce B & Tony S, incl. Sharon C, Bucky B, Sam W, & Wanda M]
Situation update:

The urgent situation in DC that Dr. Banner had gone to assist with has taken a few unfortunate twists, though they have made some progress. Mr. Stacy, who was involved, has been injured. She's been brought back this side. She is currently stable, as far as I know, her prognosis is unknown. Dr. Banner continues to lend a hand and we are all to remain here and out of Gotham until he's back and/or the situation is fully resolved. I'm getting infrequent updates from parties involved and will relay them as they come. I've excluded Dr. Banner from this post, so as to allow him to continue focusing on the task at hand.

Tony is unchanged. I believe Ms. Potts has been named the interim director of his Board of Directors, acting from out of town.

We are still unsure as to what caused the blast at Stark Tower, but things continue to lean toward someone with a power targeting the Tower. We do not know why. Wanda is still looking into the matter, following the few leads she's gathered. We'll keep Barton on watch duty, if you don't mind, Clint. Carol, if you could assist. The two of you can work out what you need to. No specifics, so much as keeping your eyes peeled for suspicious behavior/persons near the Tower.

Wanda, do we know if the blast came from inside? If so, if Natasha and Sharon could work on gathering the security footage and names of people going into Stark Tower that evening, if available. If it came from outside, then footage might be helpful, but without a name, I don't know how much we'll learn, even if we do see anything.

Peter, Natasha, and Jessica: what did you discover, with regards to your mission with the person offering powers?

Peter, Bucky should be getting in touch with you privately soon.

Does anyone have any skills when it comes to engineering? Sam Wilson, whose name I'm sure you've seen around, has a suit he needs fixed. Can someone lend a hand? This is also a good time for an introduction. Sam, everybody. Everybody, Sam. Sam helped me in DC. He's a good man and a friend. If there's no one who can help, Sam, we can wait for Tony, or I can give it a shot. But I make no promises on how good it'll turn out.

Buck, if I could get an update from you privately.

Torunn and James, I don't know how busy Peter is—Peter?—but if he's occupied, it would be great if you could continue as you've been doing.

Thor, are you still off-world?

Ms. Drew, I realized I don't know [...] enough about your powers and skills.

Did I miss anything? Does anyone need anything? If anyone wants to step out, has other plans, &c., of course do so.

[Tony woke up a few times, never for more than a few seconds at a time, and the strange kaleidoscope of images, foreign faces suffused with gold light, solid stone and fine fabrics, were so absurd that he wouldn't have been able to process them even if he'd had the ability. Something instinctual reassured him that he was not in danger, and though Tony associated clean steel and blue light with safety, this place was far from the cave and its pain-streaked glimpses of bare bulbs and the glint of Yinsen's glasses.

An age went by, or a few seconds, or both.

When Tony's eyes stayed open long enough for him to focus them, he let awareness come slowly. He remembered the pain in his chest, and slowly remembered the hospital, though clear memory was not quick in returning. Though there was discomfort, Tony didn't feel the searing, crushing agony he was unthinkingly anticipating, and he finally managed to take a breath and look around.]

[Had she been able to, Carol would have likely slept another couple days and not have been at all apologetic for it. When she gets an order from Captain America, though, she listens. Generally. So, after getting dressed, grabbing an inhuman amount of coffee, and two boxes of the requested Pop-Tarts for the thunder god, she arrives to help guard Tony's room.

Tony, whom she is still weird around, because she doesn't know exactly how to approach the guy who was her damn sponsor but had either not yet realized his own alcoholism or wasn't, in this world, an alcoholic. Tony, whom Carol, in her infinite wisdom, chooses to keep a respectable distance from in order to not somehow give the complete wrong impression. And now it might be too late. One day, she'll realize pushing people away is not the best way to protect them and herself...maybe.

She's flopped onto a chair to start at her ridiculously sized thermos of caffeine. One leg is stretched in front of her as she's attempting to work out some muscle stiffness. Her eyes lift up at the sudden movement in the room.] I don't get it. Of all the mortal food you could love, you pick Pop-Tarts? [Nothing like a little banter to break up the somber atmosphere.]