12883/Bifrost 5: SPAAAACE!

Bifrost 5: SPAAAACE!
Date of Scene:	24 March 2021
Location:	Starships, Milky Way Galaxy
Synopsis:	The Avengers reach Asgard's grave and begin the search for Bor's Shield.
Cast of Characters:	Thor, Black Widow (Romanoff), Hawkeye (Barton), Quicksilver

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Thor has posed:
    The trip took a little more than an hour and once they hit the grand galactic city of Knowhere it went like clockwork. Staying together, traveling in a close group, they reached the port facilities. From there it was a simple matter of securing quarters in a crew barracks that could easily have housed thirty or forty beings of various sizes and shapes, let alone the handful of Midgardians that were there.
    Some time was spent out and about, gathering information and angles on possible passage to a paricular quadrant of space. Some leads were strong, some weren't. Until eventually one was settled on. When they made it to the hangar it had an ominous look. Like some crouching vulture settled on its claws with a low hanging head and wide sweeping wings, it inspired images of raptors and talons and carrion crows. Definitely something piratical to it, especially when the team climbed on board and into the main cargo hold that had many containers of different materials and shapes, all held with loose cargo netting just in case gravity was lost.
    It was there that the team would have felt the lurch as the ship took off, the shift of weight as it rushed up and away from Knowhere. And for a time they were left there, a measure of tension evident until... the heavy door that leads into the ship further opens revealing a rather /large/ silhouette.
    Massive, stony, a great mound of a being with rock-like skin emerges, stomping forth and halting at the front of that bay. Behind him a skittering little creature rushes through but a second later, all fangs and blades and insect-like body parts. It rushes through and perches on a nearby pile of crates that teeters back and forth with the shape of the alien-creature's body.
    The massive being lifts a stony hand and then raises its voice as it says, in a sing-song like manner and a companionable tone. "Heeeey there. My name's Korg. Just wanted ta take a minute, let ya know we're on our way. Sorry I didn't get a chance ta meet you lovely folks."
    He steps to the side and gestures at the small alien with its slavering jaws and pointed fangs, "This 'ere is Hzt. Now I know whatcher thinkin'. Oh nooo it's a Brood, it's gonna poke us in our jorbles and we'z gonna sprout tons uv lil Broods all over the place. But check it, his lil stabby bits've gotten the chop so yeah, nah. We're all good."
    The small Brood makes a series of sharp hisses and clicks, to which Korg nods. "S'right mate, you do a good job round 'ere." He turns back, "Hzt was also wantin' me ta remind you, he has a job. For which he is well suited. When I'm pilotin' the ship he can flip the lil switches that are, you know. Smol." He holds up his big gigantic hands.
    "So yeah, that's about it." Then his craggy maw spreads wide, "How are yew?"

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
Their time in Knowhere had been educational, to say the least. As Thor had suggested, she took time to wander around, gather information. The place was buzzing with intel and that was her stock-in-trade after all. She went to the best places to get such things.

Okay, so she'd visited a lot of bars.

It was interesting to learn that they were all the same. Even in space. Beings gathering to socialize and drink. Sometimes more one than other. While she couldn't understand what everyone was saying, she could watch people (beings?) and learn things though it quickly became evident alien body language could mean totally different things than the same expression or movement in a human. It had been great.

Now on the ship, she blinked just once at the massive talking rock man then had to grin just because of the difference in what she expected from his voice versus appearance. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Korg. You as well, Hzt." Since she had no idea what a Brood was hearing the data dropped about him had her thinking she might want to learn for the future.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
During their time Knowhere, the archer has been mostly interested in the actual composition of the place. He's no geologist, but some bits looked hard enough to be used for some experiments as projectiles. He didn't collect a lot, just a few samples. Otherwise, the archer has been rather bored. And lacking training time, which didn't sit well with him.

From where he's sitting in the back, Clint shakes his head, maybe in dismay. At least they found some means of transport. Yeah. /Some/ means of transport. That is /if/ they arrive - somewhere - in one piece, they'll be lucky!

"Really, Goldie," he says, frowning, "Next time, let us book the trip. D'you know what's a travel agent?"
He then looks up at the new arrivals, nodding, "Sirs, pleasure to meet you." At least, they look like sirs. Sometimes it's hard to tell with humans, imagine with aliens!

Quicksilver has posed:
It was only an hour. But it was an hour that felt more like many multiples of that simple time period to Pietro. Time is a bit on the skewed side, for him. He holds his pace to match that of the others, walking along and sticking relatively close to the group of others. He is, at least, trying not to be difficult and trying to appear at least relatively normal. He'd explored a bit, but not overly much and never at great speeds.

With passage having been settled on, Pietro takes a moment to look over the ship that seems far too vulturous for his liking, though he does at least refrain from opining such. If only barely. The inside of the ship didn't set him more at ease. One of his eyebrows quirks up a touch when the heavy door opens to reveal the pair of being, and he flicks a glance over each of them in turn. He gives a small nod, then. "Good to meet both of you," he offers, in a tone that he hopes will sound as polite as he means it to be! He doesn't want to offend the people who will be piloting the ship, after all.

Thor has posed:
    A smirk is given sidelong towards Clint as Thor lifts a hand as if to wave off the sentiment. He shakes his head, then doffs his hat. Thor stands up from his place having taken a seat upon one of the more convenient crates. He rises and murmurs, "I bid you greetings, Good Korg. And thank you for agreeing to offer us passage. You shall have your payment in full whence we return, and an extra ingot if all goes well."
    The Thunderer looks to his comrades before again turning his attention toward the Kronan. "How long do you believe we shall be traveling?"

    "An hour, maybe two. Speedy Space is diff'rent now and again. Can't trust these ole Ravager Maraudas, pop out of space any ole time. They say it gives them the element of surprise. I say it's just dead busted." The Kronan rests his hands upon his hips as Hzt chitters something into his ear, something which causes the rock man to frown a little. "Aw, stink one, mate. Yeah, nah I was gettin' ta that." He gestures with a thumb, "Hzt also wanted me ta let you folks. Miiight not be a good idea to use the food dispenser. Since it's keyed up for him and me, and I didn't have time ta take on." He points a little, "Sundries for the squishier of us. If ya see me."
    But then Korg's smile broadens, "Right back at ya mate, mate, and miss." He gives a nod to the Avengers proper, "We got water if you want, here." He thumps a hand against the button beside the door, causing it to illuminate with a faint alarm whirl. "'Ere ya go," He says as a large metal bulkhead slowly rises up into the ceiling, revealing a clear view forward that shows the amazing view of the hyper-accelerated universe whirring and whizzing by, stars little more than long streaks as they drift and sway with the passage of the Ravager ship.
    "A lil sumthin' ta pretty-ify up the place while we head on to those coordinates. You need anythin' I'll be up the stairs. Just c'mon up. Or hollar real loud. I might be takin' a nap."
    That said the stone creature turns and starts to ascend up the steps, his footfalls heavy and thunderous. Hzt makes a chittering clicking sound and some sort of gesture with his forward talons before he skitters off the pile of crates and rushes after his partner.

    Only then does Thor turn to the others and he says with a slight smile, "One makes do with what is available. But they seem reliable enough."

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"I didn't see any aliens like them during my exploring," Natasha states, watching the way the pair disappeared. Then back to Thor. "Not sure what a Brood is like normally but he was quick to reassure us so guessing they can be problematic?" Since that sound an awful lot like incubating insect eggs or larva and he seemed insectoid.

"So we are looking at a quick trip there. Then we have to find this shield. Does that mean...outside?"

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
If anyone is looking at Clint, still sitting on something in the back, they would see him roll his eyes. At least, this part of the trip shouldn't be too long, that's the good news.

"Thor," he finally sighs, "Can you describe what's that shield ye're lookin' for? I don't even hope you have a picture, or somethin'?"

As a SHIELD agent, he's also used to /search/ for things or individuals, but generally, he has a better notion of what he was looking for.

Quicksilver has posed:
Another thing that will take an hour or more. Time feels like a punishment. Pietro gives a quiet grunt, and then he settles on one of the crates before crossing his legs at the knee. One of his eyebrows quirks slightly at the mention of 'Speedy Space', his curiosity sparked by the term, but he chooses not to ask. It might seem nosy or possibly impolite. He tilts his head a touch to one side at the mention of the food dispenser and easily susses out that the 'crew' eat differently than what the group of so named 'squishies' do.

When the view forward is revealed, Pietro can't help but to look in that direction. And make a soft sound of appreciation for the speed at which the craft is moving. This is a good distraction, at least for the moment. Though he does give a glance towards Natasha, a bit of a grin tugging his lips for a moment. "Quick is all based on perspective," he says. His attention turns to Clint, and he gives a nod to agree with the request that's made. "That would help, and hopefully it has not found its way to some collector's lair," he comments.

Thor has posed:
    For a moment Thor looks contemplative as he considers Natasha's words, then he uncurls a hand. "I have heard of the Brood, but never met one, this Hzt is the first. But they are known as a war-like species." Which, to be fair, most of the races traveling the galactic lanes are considered such.
    He straightens up and turns his gaze on the others, "But yes most likely one of us will have to go outside to secure the artifact if we are able to find it. I believe I shall be able to detect it if we get reasonably close. For the works crafted by those of Nidavellir call to each other and Mjolnir will know its kin."
    That said he looks to Clint and Pietro, "Though your aid will likely be important, for this may prove no simple task."
    Yet as the Thunderer speaks the rush of worlds continues past them, the hyper-light travel continuing with its brilliant display of speed. At Clint's words he smiles a little and says, "I only know of how it was depicted in our tales. A great shield, circular, black in color, dark enough to seem to swallow the light around it. It had a grip that was crafted from the spine of a dragon, miraculously resilient. That is all I know of it beyond perhaps some of the foes it helped fell."
    Then Pietro offers his hopes for their mission and Thor for a moment looks pensive, "I should apologize. I know that when we charge forth we like to know more. Yet we advance into mystery. I would have it be otherwise, yet such is our challenge. It is why we have such a cross array of skills and abilities, for I know not what we will face."
    Though distantly there's a subtle shift in the engines, almost a hiccup that causes a speaker in the ceiling to crackle to life. "Hello. Hellooo. Bro you said this worked, I can't hear a fing." Then there's a chittering and a clacking followed by the Kronan's voice again, "Right right, course I knew that. Umm hello. Asgardians. Comin' up on your coordinates. Get all settled with your selves and your various divine entities of worshipful purpose."
    The comm goes silent as the ship begins to decelerate.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
Pietro gets a grin and a brief dip of her head. "Hadn't thought of that but valid." Then she falls silent, focusing on the front view and a bit amazed at how beautiful it is. Of course, it helps if she thinks of it as a pretty light show and not what it really is.

She's still a little uncomfortable with this whole space thing. Natasha had always been happy within her own home atmosphere.

She listens to the various conversations then has to grin again as the voice comes over the speaker. To say confidence is inspired? Not so much.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
"Large, black and with a dragon's spine," Clint repeats some characteristics of the shield they are looking for. "Check. Should be easy enough to find." Huh, right.

As the voice over the comms can be heard, the archer only shrugs, unsurprised. He never had a good feeling to start with about this /mission/. What's next, anything can get worst already.

Quicksilver has posed:
There's a quirk of an eyebrow as he looks over to Thor at the comment made, and he grunts softly before giving a small nod. "Many things are simpler in theory than how they actually turn out to be," Pietro comments, then gives a slight shrug of one of his shoulders. It's not entirely unexpected, really. It's one of those unspoken rules. He gives a wry sort of chuckle, and then he gives a nod to Thor. "There are few things that remain a mystery. To charge into one is somewhat refreshing, in a way," Pietro says, a smile quirking his lips. He lifts one of his hands, tussling his hair a bit, a way of fidgetting without seeming as though he is doing so. He stays settled on the crate he'd chosen, at least for the time being. There's a glance to Natasha, and a nod to her, a smile tugging anew at his lips. "The faster one's perspective of time, the longer an hour is," he comments, actually sounding a touch amused.

Thor has posed:
    As quick as the ship rushed into such high speed it drops out of it just as quick, but much more jarring in the transition. The stars suddenly stop and there's a visual jolt if not a physical one. The ship comes to a halt with the view display before them showing a great whorling pinkish nebula that hangs heavy off in the distance. A handful of planets seem nearby, visible at the least with one apparently having been the victim of some great calamity as a section of its surface has been seemingly trapped in a moment of disaster. For it trails a line of satellites behind it, like some great power slammed into it and shattered part of its crust and cast the debris into the nothing.
    Yet all around them, small glittering lights flicker as small bits of asteroid float within visible range. Some pieces glow with a reddish heat, others are just dead and blackened, but all in all it seems like a moment of chaos caught in a freeze frame. And somehow peaceful.
    Only then after the ship eases that Thor frowns, taking the walking stick from his hip he murmurs, "Behold. Asgard. My once home." For this is the resting place of the land of the Gods.
    He stands still for a time. Quiet.
    A moment drifts past. Then he shakes his head and murmurs, "There is much work to be done." And as he says that he drops to a knee and cracks the walking stick against the floor of the cargo chamber, causing a silvery flash of flame to wash over it and it transforms into the mighty hammer Mjolnir. The ancient weapon flickers with electrical power dancing over its surface as he rises to his feet and holds it out. Waiting...
    Then he raises his voice, "The nebula. Korg, head in the direction of the nebula, please."
    "Cool. Cool." Comes the response from the Kronan. And the ship lurches into motion.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
Dropping out of speed has Natasha's stomach giving a little lurch as well but she manages to maintain her complete composure. Otherwise, she'd never hear the end of it from Clint. Amazing what she could deal with having that sort of motivation.

Upon seeing the evidence of what happened to Thor's world, she finds she is holding her breath. Such horror. To have lived through that with only a ship full of survivors. It was tragic and overwhelming.

And it hadn't been her planet. She watched Thor carefully, having worried how he might deal with this moment. Not surprisingly, he manages to rally and focus.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
"Woah, Goldie!" Clint starts, "A lil' warning before you do that stunt?"

The archer might be a bit nervous and jumped when Thor did his hammer thing. No matter how often Hawkeye witnessed it over the years, it still annoys him.

And then, Clint looks at the remnant of Asgard, with someting thoughtful in his expression. And then... he remains silent.

Quicksilver has posed:
There's a glance towards the stars when the speed drops, and Pietro gives a soft grunt before lifting one of his hands to lightly tussle his hair again. He doesn't seem to react otherwise to the change in their velocity. His gaze lingers to the outside, though, looking over what is shown now instead. His brow furrows slightly, and there's a frown that finds his features as well. He, too, is quiet. A moment of peace, of silence, for those who passed in the destruction of this place. Then his gaze turns to Thor, and he offers in a quiet voice, "I am sorry, for what happened to your home." It seems the right thing to say. And it is sincerely offered. He glances towards Natasha, then Clint, briefly, though his attention returns back to Thor.

Thor has posed:
    For a time Thor looks to his teammates, and there is a hint of pain in his good eye. But it's ever that smile of his. Just that gentle smile that returns and he says, "Thank you." To the sentiment given by Pietro, and perhaps the ones unspoken by Natasha and Clint.
    On the intercom Korg's voice comes through again, though now tinged with a touch of static and hisses. "S'alright fellas. I think I got a readin' on this lootometer. I'm pickin' up anomalies around the edgea the cloud. Gonna have ta nose 'er in."
    There's a pause, "Gonna be tough though, we got a lotta debris out there and no point defense." Which is a statement that causes Thor to shoot a glance at Hawkeye and he tilts his head. One eyebrow quirks as his lips twist, "That is fine, I believe. We have a marksman in our number." Which apparently the archer might find himself volunteered.
    That said, however, he moves towards one of the storage crates with a few quick strides. The side of the box is touched and the internal locks disengage revealing a quartet of packages roughly the size of a backpack, straps included. He gestures to them and says, "These will serve for space suits, I suggest you change for matters are about to become difficult." And with that said he moves toward the gantry way in the back, swinging the hammer briefly through a smooth arc.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"Wait, you want us to go out there?" comes the hurried words from Natasha. This is not what she was expecting. Others going out like Thor? Sure. But she hadn't figured she'd be going on a spacewalk.