4732/Emergency Logistics

Emergency Logistics
Date of Scene:	23 June 2018
Location:	Aboard the _Frigga's Mercy_, low Earth orbit.
Synopsis:	A head of state, a national hero, a Lantern and a Valkyrie discuss the possible fates of the Asgardian refugees
Cast of Characters:	Captain America, Sister Reinhardt, Vintridr, Black Panther
Tinyplot:	Ragnarok Aftermath

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Captain America has posed:
Captain America always loved space. He is seasoned enough at this point that he has dealt with time travel, alternate realities, microverses, magical realms, constructs, mental constructs, you name it but space always reminds him of when he was a scrawny boy who got picked on, rocketing among the stars on his own ship in search of adventure. But that isn't what brings him here today. Asgard needs their help, and Cap is here to give it. He is standing around a large map of the Earth, talking with T'challa, Suzanne and Vintridr. "We need to plan for acceptance or rejection. Acceptance is easier, but ....we're not sending you people back into space.

Sister Reinhardt has posed:
    "I actually hoped someone would say that." The BLue Lantern said at the map. "If the UN was, honestly, going to refuse....I would've left with them." She was blunt about it too. "At least Wakanda and Themyscira is offering aid, but.......They're also two of the most isolationist countries in the world. Are they really ready for refugees?" She then looks to T'challa. "With little offense meant towards Wakanda with their current King here."

Vintridr has posed:
     Vintridr has had time to rest and clean up since T'Challa saw her last; at the very least, she's currently wearing reasonably clean coveralls instead of the slightly scorched armour. She nods at Cap as she looks over the map. "We lack the resources to terraform a world, and the nearest system is... Probably not reachable within the limitations of the _Frigga's Mercy_."

    She nods at Suzanne. "If the worst comes to pass, we'll need to petition the Lantern or Nova corps for assistance in transport."

    She glances back at Cap and T'Challa. "Please do not mention this to the UN council -- even if it managed to sway the argument, it'd cause resentment for what could be described as moral blackmail."

    She takes a breath, then lays down a tablet. "This ship's hydroponics are... Limited, but functional; in terms of life support we can afford to stay here for several months, barring calamities. It wouldn't be pleasant, but it would be survivable, especially now that the most gravely wounded are recovering," she adds, with another nod towards both T'Challa and Suzanne.

Black Panther has posed:
"No, it is a reasonable question," T'Challa grants to Suzanne. "The presence of the Asgardians would be an enormous change. We would need to give them the status of a full tribe, and lands, and this would change the balance of power in Wakanda. We can host them as refugees, but integration may not be possible. I imagine it would be the same for the Amazons, their culture may not match well with Asgard's. No, it would be best that we housed the refugees temporarily while we found permanent lands for them to re-settle. This Wakanda could easily manage, while protecting the Asgardians from exploitation."

T'Challa nods to Vintridr. "I think we can resolve the question of temporary asylum long before your supplies run out," T'Challa says. "And Wakanda will provide whatever supplies you need to extend that time and make it more comfortable."

Captain America has posed:
Captain America grins, "Selective divulgance of intelligence is fine with me; though I think you would do well to tell them. It might sway some on the edge. We need to make sure you are getting supplies while you are up here. The other problem is how do we get all of you down to the GROUND if we have to do it in a hidden fashion. We're going to want cloaking devices or to guard any transports from retaliation of hostile powers on Earth that might take action. I think a group of space capable heroes ready for notice at a moment is a good idea." He looks at T'Challa, "SHIELD can do a lot but I think working with Wakanda we can get them what they need NOW a lot faster.

Sister Reinhardt has posed:
    "Actually, the best option is to get the ship out of space. If the ship can float, then we can just put the ship into international waters close to where they need to be and lets the UN sit on their thumbs for a while. If Wakanda is near water, all the better. Park the ship near a harbor, and say 'take your time, UN. we're fiiiine' But really, getting you out of space will help your people a lot. Plus, it'll make the supplies from the ones willing to help a lot more accessable than ones not able to break the atmosphere. It's also going to open you up to vultures, such as the media and people willing to attack you. And cloaking wouldn't really help all that much. If someone wants to find you, they'll find you."

She then smirks. "Yeah there are some people worse than reporters."

Vintridr has posed:
    Vintridr shakes her head. "It would also play into the hands of the rhetoric of the isolationists; accusing us of moral blackmail, and of trying to force Midgard to fix a problem that isn't your fault. It might get us clearance to land faster, but at the cost of greater problems down the line. "

    She nods at T'Challa. "True, alas. Worse, the western world is already uneasy with Wakanda's economic and scientific prowess as is is. They will not react well to the thought of that same nation absorbing almost three thousand superhumans with another tech base that exceeds theirs..."

Black Panther has posed:
T'Challa nods in agreement with Captain America. "Yes, we do need to organize and coordinate the relief effort so we do not waste resources. Perhaps SHIELD could be in charge of this, it has the best relations with the different superheroes and countries that wish to help."

He ponders Suzanne's suggestion but in the end agrees with Vintridr. "I think it is best the ship stays in space as long as it can. Any move to land will erase much of the good will created by Thor's speech and our diplomatic efforts. I am not as concerned about the perceived advantage, however. Wakanda already bears this burden and the hostility it brings. Some will calculate that Wakanda is already so advanced that a few thousand Asgardians does not change the balance of power on Earth, as long as we do not possess the ship. But I do note your concern; there are some who would rather see the Asgardians die in space than allow any other nation to gain any advantage from their technology," he says sadly.

Captain America has posed:
Captain America says, "At some point, you just have to accept that the bullies of the world are going to be just that; you can't live your life in fear of what awful people may do. Hope for the best, plan for the worst, that's my motto. And that works for me, T'Challa, I will begin planning with SHIELD...quietly. There are leaks and certain information shouldn't be distributed widely. But coordination of relief or having space ready heroes is just fine. Planning for what might go wrong is always a good idea. I am also more concerned about the long term welfare of the Asgardians. We need to give them something to DO and to be, not just houses."

Sister Reinhardt has posed:
    "you'll forgive me if my foremost concern is to the safety and well-being of the Asgardians. Politics don't lend well to hope at all. It's why I don't like reporters. No matter what, they're going to take any small mistake you make and expand it until you can't avoid it, or take any mistake and make it gigantic. As for the bullies, let them sit up in space and see how quickly they'll change their tune." Suzanne just sighs before looking to Captain America, and ponders. "is there a way to repair the ship? So it can be fully operational, just in case the UN decides to drag their feet? the temporary solution is either to land in water near one of the two places offering asylum, or get the ship operational in space so it is comfortable instad of a football stadium for hurricane relief."

Vintridr has posed:
    Vintridr smiles at Captain America's statement. "That, at least, is a lesser worry. Most of our fighting strength may have perished in Ragnarok, but among our survivors we have builders, craftsmen, blacksmiths and enchanters. Given room to build, and basic resources, we can and will build a new home to replace lost Asgard."

    She nods at T'Challa. "Truth be told, your Majesty, those who calculate concern me a great deal less than those who do not; the former will accept that they'll find a way to either profit from the situation or at least not lose, but those ruled by fear and ego will see us as a prize to either claim for their own or at least deny to others..." Her eyes harden at that. "They will be mistaken either way; my people will /not/ be a prize, no matter what."

Black Panther has posed:
"I understand your feeling, Lantern," T'Challa sympathizes. "Unfortunately, I have heard updates from Thor's people about the ship. It is very old and its major systems are simply failing," he says and looks to Vintridr for confirmation. "I believe they have only months left here."

He strokes his chin again. "No, and we do not want to make them into a prize," T'Challa assures Vintridr. "You raise a good point though. If the reactionaries seize the discussion, the situation could be volatile. And Wakanda has only three ships that reach this place," he says in a tremendous show of trust; he has just outed the limits of the Wakandan space program. "We cannot evacuate your people on short notice, and the Nova Corps has only one ship here it seems."

T'Challa looks to Captain America. "We may need to be able to protect the ship in place from attack, but without seeming to or it would raise alarm. Then if the attack comes, we can fight it off long enough for evacuation."

Vintridr has posed:
    Vintridr looks at Suzanne next. "We repaired what we could of this ship during the journey, but there's only so much we could do without more materials - materials that most of this world's nations also do not yet posess. Even if Wakanda or Stark Technologies were willing to part with a spare fusion core to replace the secondary plant in this ship, it's unlikely we'd be able to fit it into the rest of the ships systems."

Captain America has posed:
Captain America says, "Well I have seen Tony and Richard do frankly AMAZING things to technology so they could likely fix anything but why tempt fate. And watch out for the bean counters, they are a lot sneakier than you think. Sometimes they can win even if you don't choose one way or the other...they can just flip the board on you. Still, it sounds like we can potentially do something here. The plant is a good idea to fix, and the hydroponics. I do hope we aren't talking "Months" at all."

Vintridr has posed:
    "I don't question their skills, Captain," Vintridr replies. "However, it's not just a matter of skill but infrastructure. This ship would need months in drydock to be restored to non-emergency operational status -- drydocks that do not /exist/ in this system. That said, if worse comes to worst and someone decides to attack this vessel... It would not be seaworthy for long, especially not after an emergency de-orbit -- but a well prepared air lift would be able to evacuate everyone onboard before it sank."

    She smiles thinly. "Yes, I've been considering the possibility; it would at least solve the political problem of which nation gets to salvage this ship in the classic, most fair way: No one."

Sister Reinhardt has posed:
    "I'm of a firm belief that.....after the people are safe and healthy, then we discuss the nature and usefulness of the ship. Obviously, the people come first. But then, once you're on earth....or Midgard, as you call it....hide the ship and repair it. Just in case." Suzanne sighs a bit. "Politics only slow things down. And....frankly, there's hardliners in every nation. No, Wakanda is no exception, T'challa. Some people are just flat out two faced, or....as most of us know already....wear a public mask. Some of us wear a mask so they can't be targeted by their enemies. Such as the green lanterns and....myself. Spider-man and Superman also come to mind. Spider-man, however, does what is right, despite those, such as the Daily Bugle, calling him a menace. he also coined the phrase 'with great power, comes great responsibility'." She then raises her left hand....the one with the ring. "One I take to heart. Plus, as a Blue lantern....I am literally at the service of the universe. And I'm still learning how to use it. My current duty is to the Asgardians. And earth can survive with them. they'll even better better off for it."

Black Panther has posed:
T'Challa looks thoughtful after Vintridr speaks, then listens to Suzanne.

"Your passion for the right thing is very noble, Lantern, it makes me glad you are who you are," he says with a smile. "But the hardliners cannot be ignored any more than the politics. It would not be good to settle the Asgardians the wrong way only to start a war that will kill hundreds of thousands," he cautions. T'Challa seems to be thinking something through then nods. "I think Vintridr's idea should be considered by Thor. The Asgardians as refugees and then settlers will be less threatening without the ship. And as King of Wakanda, I do not want the eyes of other powers in the stars wondering where the ship went. It may be safer to destroy it."

Captain America has posed:
Captain America puts his hand under his chin and shakes his head, "We might need it. I am loathe to throw something like this away, broken as it is...what if we had to evacuate Earth? But it is too important to let any one nation have it. I wonder if we could lock it in some magical vault and let the major nations have the keys?" He sighs "But I think Thor is the right one to make this call and the Asgardians. And I think the ship does need to be....removed as a threat to those who are too small to see how much good it could do.

Sister Reinhardt has posed:
    Suzanne snaps her fingers. "Or.....and follow my train of thought here....SHRINK it and make sure no one see it until it's needed. Isn't there someone who developed that sort of technology....or something, that could do just that? What's his name.......Pym?"

Captain America has posed:
Captain America says, "Not a bad idea. I can reach out to either of them. Heck, I wouldnt be surprised if Reed could develop a shrink ray even if it wouldnt be as good as what either of the others could do. Pym is the absolute master of the technology and we could even store the thing at the Security Council itself in case we ever needed it."

Black Panther has posed:
"An interesting idea," T'Challa admits. "Perhaps Vintridr can bring them to Thor, and we will see what his decision is."

Vintridr has posed:
    Vintridr shakes her head. "I regret to disappoint, Captain; but the fact that this ship managed to carry three thousand of us here is little short of a miracle -- it is unlikely to ever jump again, let alone carry more than a fraction of Midgard's population. If things ever get /that/ desperate, we'll need a different means of escape."