4932/Ragnarok pt. 16: The Blockade

Ragnarok pt. 16: The Blockade
Date of Scene:	16 July 2018
Location:	Asgardian Ship on the Atlantic Ocean
Synopsis:	It is discovered that the Mercy is under blockade. It is also learned that King Haakon desires a meeting with Thor.
Cast of Characters:	Thor, Melinda May, Psylocke, Spider-Woman (Drew), Storm, Superman, Flash
Tinyplot:	Ragnarok

---

Thor has posed:
    The time that has passed since the fall of the Mercy has been productive. SHIELD operatives were integral in the efforts providing supplies and materials needed for the repairs to the Asgardian ship. The surface of the vessel has transformed into a hustling miniature township of sorts with relief tents and makeshift shelters creating a stitched together patchwork attempt at something akin to civilization. There are guardsmen circulating amongst the people, and relief workers even as a central 'command' deck has been put together in the middle of the wrecked vessel.
    Over the course of the last several days various heroes have even been in attendance. Assuredly the one that gets the most camera time, (though civilian vessels are kept far off somehow people are getting video feeds), is Superman. He figures prominently in the newsfeeds and his smiling features are displayed center frame. Other Avengers have checked in, and even a glimpse at a curious space ship was taken.
    But what stands most ominous over the goings on seems to be the Carrier Battle Group for the USS Abraham Lincoln that has established a cordon preventing other vessels from approaching the crashed Asgardian ship unless given clearance. So far only a handful of vessels have been granted that. The Iliad, the SHIELD Helicarrier, is one of those vessels. It's been allowed to ferry supplies to and from the damaged ship. Also the Liaoning, a Chinese vessel that had been diverted and carried clothing and foodstuffs which were kindly donated. The last of which was the Norwegian frigate, the KNM Helge Ingstad was steaming its way into position beside the Mercy.
    The seas were calm currently, and of late the clouds had boded ill with their stormy portent. Though today, even though the clouds are grey... they might well come from the Thunderer himself as of late his mood has been ill at ease.

Melinda May has posed:
Having been one of the first SHIELD agents to respond, Agent May has been present for most of the rescue efforts, short a trip back to the mainland with one of the many quinjets that travelled to and from before the Iliad arrived. She's back with the SHIELD contingent, though, and is very much her usual cheery self.

And if you believe that, we have a very nice bridge for sale.

Standing at the point where SHIELD personnel and supplies come and go for the Mercy, she watches everything she can with alert, wary eyes. It's honestly amazing how many countries have committed resources to helping the Asgardians, but that doesn't mean there aren't any people amongst the influx of ships and people that might mean something other than good for Thor and his people. And she will NOT stand for that if there's anything at all she can do about it.

Psylocke has posed:
    Another has been present as much as possible to assist the Asgardians. What had started as a mission of healing had continued, despite the change of location. Betsy had originally been asked to help the Asgardians who still bore a mental taint from the Dark Elves they had battled in Asgard. That is what she'd been doing when the ship lost its engine and plummeted to the ocean. Each day since, she had come here and spent time helping when she could then refocusing her efforts on mental healing.
    Today, she arrived with a companion in tow. The trip through the shadow realm was brief. A moment at the mansion then a brief moment of darkness before emerging from the shadow of one of the makeshift tents. It was as though the shadow swelled and grew into two humanoid shapes, then they solidified and became Betsy and Ororo.

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
Jessica Drew stands atop a large chunk of debris, watching the goings-on across near the primary wreckage. She's paused to watch the clouds above - desperately wanting to doff the mask, but knowing that there always seems to be /someone/ willing to take and leak footage. Not that it really matters anymore, since becoming associated with the Avengers. She is no longer terribly worried about a secret identity. Between the heat and humidity, she finally finds the nerve to pull off her mask, and let the wind blow through her hair as she observes the others working. And those, like May and herself, who are watching.

Storm has posed:
Ororo had not been present during any of the efforts to help the Asgardians. However, that is not to say that she did not keep up with what she could through news broadcasts, social media, and her teammates that seemed more charitable than herself. One would think summer break at Xavier's School would afford her such liberties, but super-human children are... difficult.

Today, she aims to do her part, reaching out to Elizabeth Braddock and offering her assistance where she can. Despite the brief interaction with the shadow realm, Ororo is amazed by the efficiency this form of teleportation gifted the violet-haired socialite. One moment, they are standing idly by in the mansion, and the next they are in the middle of it all.

"I've always seen you do this," Ororo began, "but actually feeling it is... unnerving. Efficient, but unnerving." She surveys the tent they appear in, taking note of the amount of supplies that are stored around her. The bustling of busy bodies can be heard around them, and Ororo proceeds to peak through the flap of the tent to come across a much grander spectacle than she would have imagined. "Great Goddess. And you've been here every day, Betsy?"

Superman has posed:
After the initial work to shore up the Frigga's Mercy, the world, and especially SHIELD, had responded to provide for the Asgardians. Kal had come out with the Justice League's support and had made a point to come back to the ship often. He was back at the moment, visiting the Asgardians. He had been taking time to get to know many of them, and wanted the Justice League to be seen with the refugees; to reassure the world about them and give an example.

Flash has posed:
It is well known and documented on the videos that Superman has been helping and is a major force in the relief effort. Avengers have shown their faces. To show up now would be in the 'better late then never' category. It is a category the Flash is very familiar with. For all his speed, he's only just now turning up. It is with the best of intentions, though.

"Hi. So. Can you use me anyplace?" Flash questions from out of nowhere with an overly crisp salute, appearing with a slight reddish blur and crackle of electricity near Superman, when he's between conversations. Not wanting to eat the food of those in desperate need, Flash has brought a substantial lunch bag along. He has one of the straps looped over his torso, the weighty knapsack hanging against opposite hip. It doesn't go with his bright red and gold superhero attire really. It's also very damp from the trip.

Flash, a member of the JLA, is not making any show of his arrival but came to lend his support. Justice League is here, not just Superman. Compared to Superman, Flash isn't that much of a big deal, anyway, though. Still, he'll help out where he can.

Thor has posed:
    May likely will hear the voice of the tall blonde Asgardian as he stands, partially visible through one of the open glass windows in the makeshift shelter. Her position near the temporary dock gives her good sight lines across most of the ship and an angle on the various entrances and exits in the damaged hull. People are working, coming and going, there are even some children on the broken bow that are attempting to fish with a pole that's cobbled together from a twisted bit of superstructure.
    But Thor's voice carries, as it is wont to do, "What exactly is needed, then?" There's the sound of paper rustling as he waves a curled parchment to the side. Another Asgardian replies, Bjarke for those that would recognize him though his response is quieter when compared to his sovereign who replies, "That is unacceptable."
    Meanwhile, the modern frigate draws into place against the dockside, its horn whooping several times to announce its arrival and the fact that it is docking. Then several sailors throw the two lines across the way to some of the SHIELD and US Naval personnel who are manning that dock. The shadow the frigate casts is long, even as a team of sailors seem to be gathering upon the deck.
    When Ororo and Psylocke arrived, the former assuredly could feel the way the mother earth seemed to roil and writhe with such annoyance and anger, keyed off of the mood of this other who has a way with weather. It was perhaps a small window into the man's view and mindset, and she could tell he was displeased.
    Near Jessica the three Asgardian children with their makeshift pole call out towards her while waving, "Hail!"
    One of the others pipes up, "Hail, good lady."
    The third then, less politely says, "You're scaring all the fish!"
    That causes the three to giggle in unison, though assuredly the whooping frigate might be what's more likely scaring the fish.
    But then through the doorway of the central tent, Thor emerges and shakes his head as he moves, followed by Bjarke. But whatever he intended to say is curtailed when he catches sight of the new arrivals. "Lady Braddock," He lifts a hand, his single blue eye settling first on one X-Man, and then the other. "You are welcome and a fine sight for an ill time." He gives a nod sidelong towards Bjarke, waving him off with one hand before turning his attention back and having it drawn by Flash's sudden arrival. "Superman." He offers another wave as if a salute in turn to the Man of Steel and his League comrade.

Melinda May has posed:
May watches the boat pull up and the combined dock workers taking care of the mooring lines. With that apparently well in hand, she speaks quietly into her comm and then steps toward where she hears Thor's less than pleased voice as soon as another senior agent takes her place.

Stepping toward where the Asgardian leader steps out of the central tent, she makes a quick visual assessment of Betsy and the regal-looking woman accompanying her. She's not had the chance yet to work with the purple-haired woman, but she at least is aware of who she is and that she's a mutant with the ability to come and go much more quickly than normal.

Those assessments are set aside, though, as she stops next to the thundrous man. "Thor, is there anything I can help with?"

Psylocke has posed:
    The response of Ororo makes Betsy smile. "Every day. I was on the ship when it was going down, helping with evacuations. As you said, the shadow teleportation is efficient if a bit different. You get used to it," she adds although she doubts the former goddess is going to be a fan of that method unless absolutely necessary.
    She slips open the flap on the tent to step out then holds it open for Ororo. "I've been trying to help as much as I can. Coordinating communication telepathically when needed. Helping with search and rescue. But mainly what I had come here for originally which was to help some of them who had scars from the Dark Elves." She gives a shrug then glances up as Thor calls her name.
    "Hello, Thor," she replies automatically although his words have her smile fading as quickly as it appeared. "Ill time? Moreso than it has been?"

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
Jessica chuckles at the children, and with far more ease than she's felt throughout the day, lending a hand to lift loads in webbing, she slides down the side of the chunk of craft to the solid primary surface. "How about I show you something -really- fantastic? You'll make everyone so proud..."

Jessica ducks down in a dramatic show of stealth, tiptoeing so that the three children do likewise behind her. "Do you see that?" she asks, gesturing toward the water's edge in an alcove of the ship. "A whole school of fish, driven ahead by the frigate. Now...I will need you all three to help me. Off with the shoes!"

The three children are guided out into the edge of the water, surrounding the school of fish, and shown how to stand, and where to place their hands just above the water's surface. With a quick flurry of thwips, Jessica creates a net of webbing between their hands that resembles a giant spiderweb.

"On the count of three...ready? One...Two...THREE!" And all thee shove their handfuls of the net below the water, trapping a good number of the school beneath. Carefully seining the net up out of the water's edge, they come up with a net full of wriggling and flopping fish.

Sometimes what is necessarily needed isn't the most obvious thing. Sometimes what is needed is food for the spirit.

Superman has posed:
Kal smiles and turns to face Flash. "Good to see you. Just being seen here is the most help you can give right now, unless you want to haul some cargo. It seems like there's always more." He introduces Flash to the small knot of Asgardians he was talking with.

Kal hears Thor's disgruntled exclamation and looks over in time to see the Asgardian emerge. He returns the wave and nods in Thor's direction to Flash.

"Something's bothering him, let's go find out what's going on," he says quietly to Flash. He makes his excuses to the Asgardians he was talking with and starts to walk over to Thor and Bjarke.

More out of curiousity than anything else, he looks over the frigate that has docked as he walks. He arrives with the group as Melinda is asking Thor if there is anything she can help with. He nods to Psylocke and Storm, the latter of whom he recognizes easily enough but has never met.

Flash has posed:
"Right on time to haul cargo and get my picture taken? I timed this really well," Flash smiles to Superman, returning the positive expression despite the mild dismay in his tone. He'll still help out and be optimistic about the situation. That's something he can lend with just being there.

"Hi. Hello. Hi." Flash greets the Asgardians he was introduced to. He got their names. At least for the next few minutes, that is, he knows those. With the direction of Kal, though, he gives an apologetic wave and a curious arched look to the kryptonian, moving to follow at the speed his teammate sets. Flash waves to the new set of people - May, Ororo, Psylocke - with a small motion, relatively upbeat, though quiet.

Storm has posed:
In her observation, Ororo feels her connection to nature is different. It is almost as if seeing into the emotions of another, despite her lack of empathic potential, and it makes sense to the woman. Just as her emotions bend the essence of nature, she can presume that it does more so for a God of Thunder.

Ororo steps through the tent at Betsy's offer, nodding to the woman as she speaks of her time with the Asgardians. "You've always been a supportive woman, Elizabeth, and I am positive this will leave a lasting impression on these people. Great job," Ororo says, turning at the sound of Thor's voice.

She gives him a nod in greeting, saying, "The support from the community is nothing less than amazing, Thor, and I wish to add to that, if you will allow."

Thor has posed:
    The three children, two boys and one girl, all seem to eye Jessica with a hint of wariness. The eldest, the girl with long hair tied into an elaborate bun, she watches closely as the spider-woman leads them along the twisted remains of the ship that serves as a makeshift roll of a beach where one can slide down partially into the water and then clamber back up. "What is that stuff?" She asks, but she does as she's led... guided by the youthful Avenger's words.
    And then, when the time is right, they act! And all three gather up a quick scoop of many fish...
    Just in time for the rest of the school to flee when a high pitched whistle is heard from the docking ship.
    A quartet of Norwegian sailors start down the gangplank even as the frigate is still settling into place. May is in a perfect place to observe them as the leading one is doffing his cap and sliding out of his pea coat. There's something about the man that definitely doesn't seem to match with the others there and he makes a bee line straight for her, lifting his voice as he speaks with a hint of a Nordic accent, "Pardon." He looks to her while behind him the frigate's winch and flag-line seems to be twisting as another pennant is attached to the ship. A flag that displays three triangles pointed upwards. "I am King Haakon, of Norway. I would be presented to Thor, please. Time is of the essence."
    But across the deck, Thor is not near enough to hear that rapid exchange as he addresses the X-Men and now the Leaguers. "There are different factions holding to a pattern of thought. Some who would surrender the Mercy, others who feel she can be made some measure of whole once more." He shakes his head, looking between them. "None of the options before me seem..." He grimaces and looks towards Flash.
    "Forgive my poor temper. Hail and well met. A friend of Superman's..." He tilts his head towards Storm, "Or of Lady Braddock's, is welcome amongst us" To Storm he lifts a hand as if accepting her words of kindness and giving a nod in return. "Any aid offered is welcome. I shall have food prepared, please do be so kind as to join us."

Melinda May has posed:
May stops and turns back to the people disembarking from the Norweigan ship and ... wow, okay. But May is nothing if not quick-thinking, and she offers the monarch a bow that is more in keeping with the customs of Thailand. "Your Majesty. This way, please."

She inwardly thanks her fellow senior agent that insisted she go on diplomatic missions, she gestures for King Haakon to accompany her, then leads the way to where Thor is. And, to clue him in that this is not a trivial matter, she addresses him in the most formal way she can think of.

"Your Highness, His Majestey, the king of Norway is here to speak with you." She glances at the others, silently trying to warn them that this isn't a prank, especially the young-looking man in the red and yellow outfit.

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
"This is web. It's like the spider, only bigger and stronger. I have been using it to lift bundles of supplies to higher levels from up above," Jessica explains to the girl who asked what it was. "I'm sure you've noticed that many of those who have come to help have certain abilities and gifts that they can put to use here. This is mine," Jessica concludes, bundling the net at its mouth and parts out one bit to each of the children, leaving herself the lion's share, as she will be the one pulling the heaviest part of the load. As the four make their way back up to where the others are cloistered above, she shouts to an Asgardian who watches down toward them.

"These children have caught a bounty of fish. Is there someplace that we can take them to be utilized?"

Flash has posed:
"Your hospitality is appreciated, Thor," Flash says, quick on the trigger to answer appropriately, but not in so fast as to clip into what others are saying. There's no hints of impatience to the speedster. He's just ready. "No call at all for apology. I'm, erm, Flash, Justice League. 'Superman's friend' is an unnecessary extra title, though I do like it. Happy to lift stuff: picking things up, putting them down. /Probably/ better used if you have any further search needs --- But lifting crates does, I hear, build bonus character." A smile is added, a flash of straight teeth. The friendliness, edged with a subtle shy quality, is aimed just at everyone nearby.

Flash is upbeat and chatty, at least, until the king is introduced. Flash moves out of the way with a smooth sidestep and turn, giving appropriate decorum immediately. His smile remains, though more reserved.

Psylocke has posed:
    As the small gathering group up, Betsy gives a nod to Superman. She's seen him around the ship but not actually gotten an opportunity to speak with him. "Thanks for the save the other day. If not for you, the loss of life would've been catastrophic." She gives a nod to the Flash then motions to her companion.
    "This is a friend of mine. Storm." She opts for her teammate's codename for now. Her true name is hers to give if she were to choose.
    As much as she wants to protest the offer of food, she's doesn't want to insult what may be an Asgardian tradition to offer such hospitality. "We'd be honored to join you. As for the ship, I wouldn't give up on her yet. She's served you well thus far and I believe she will again."
    At that moment, May arrives with the King and she falls silent, while dropping her head respectfully in the direction of the monarch.

Thor has posed:
    At the announcement some of the Navy sailors frown and one touches a hand to his ear even as he steps clear to make way for the others. He lets the Norwegians pass but his eyes follow their progress cleanly.
    Above and upon the ship, Jessica will catch the eye of Harald, one of the guards on the vessel. He calls back down, "Aye, below decks. The observation deck would be suitable. Many thanks!" He lifts a hand to wave towards her and smiles a little longer than rightly is needed, but then he'll look away quickly and move back onto his rounds. The kids, however, seem rather cheered as they push on. "You see, Floki? We didn't need your stupid fishing pole."
    "It wasn't stupid." The smaller boy Asgardian grumbles.
    On the deck the arrival of the man claiming to be King Haakon causes a small tumult. The SHIELD operatives take their lead from May and keep it business as usual though they step back and their focus is now dockward and towards that ship that now is flying the colours of their king. The man before her is tan, with dark hair and a short shaved full beard that is only starting to go grey. His features are open and pleasant, his smile earnest but there is an air of import to him as he addresses her. "Thank you. Thank you very much." He offers to shake her hand but he seems more intent on hurrying past since across the way he can clearly see where Thor is now.
    The other Norwegian sailors move along with him, and they are clearly armed with sidearms at their sides. They move furtively, making sure to keep a firm perimeter around the man but not going so far as to push people out of the way while they move.
    "Flash, Storm." Thor nods, committing those names to memory as he hrms. "Was there not another by your name, Flash?" He begins to ask but then May steps forth. When presented to him, Thor's attention shifts away from those he was just greeting and he lifts a furrowed gaze upon the man that May brings forth. A glance is given towards the X-Men and then the two leaguers before he clears his throat. "Very well,"
    But whatever discussion might be about to happen is put on hold as abruptly off towards the horizon...
    Suddenly 12 contrails burst to life into the sky, fired from the distant USS Abraham Lincoln. They fire upwards, like Polaris rockets being launched from a submarine below but these seem to labor moreso as they twist into the air. The smoke that they trail is heavy and grey and thick, but once they reach a particular height approximately halfway towards the Frigga's Mercy, they seem to eject their casings and their payload becomes clear. Twelve suits of armor, all firing into life as they rocket towards the ship.

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
Jessica hoists the bundle of fish, holding it well clear of her body so that she doesn't smell like the bane of fish for the rest of the day, and hands it off below deck, praising the children and excusing herself as they chatter wildly to the Asgardian who accepted them, of their adventure.

Washing up swiftly, her mask still tucked into her belt, she joins the others above just in time to see the ballistics take flight. She frets at her lip in wonder, as it becomes clear what they are. But not...whom. Emblazoned in red and gold herself, Jessica takes her place next to Flash, paying no attention to the similarity, but instead leaning in and offering a soft and tight-lipped question. "Who the living blazes are these guys?"

Melinda May has posed:
May takes a step back to the the two leaders speak, but when the USS Lincoln fires off heavy ordinance, her eyes snap up to the sky and her hand goes to the commlink in her ear. "Iliad, May. Sitrep, now." And even as the chatter starts up in her ear she looks at Betsy. "How many people can you get away from here at a time?" She's not taking chances, and she intends to have the purple-haired woman pull the Norweigan king to safety first and foremost. If for no other reason than to avoid an even bigger incident.

Flash has posed:
"Weeeell, If you heard bad things, then yes, let's say it was all this other Flash guy before me," Flash answers, a bit more quietly than earlier. He was asked a question, so he answered, but the larger political content that seems about to erupt gets more attention. He's there to support, not talk to Norweigan kings. "That's from the USS Lincoln. ...I could go ask them," Flash says to Jessica's question, though he's also similarly quiet, so it is mostly just an offer got those who are close by (Jessica, fellow red-theme hero) or with super hearing (some others, like Superman) to hear.

Storm has posed:
"Greetings, friends," Ororo says. She looks over each of the gathered heroes after Betsy's introduction, nodding to each of them in turn.

Unfamiliar with the customs of Asgard, Ororo initially finds the gesture from Thor odd, and it brings to light memories of when she first came across the American culture. To this day, she still does not understand why nudity is a shameful act. Nevertheless, the leader of the X-Men nods and accepts his offer. "Yes, it would indeed be an honor to dine with you and your people."

As the Norwegian soldiers approach and are introduced, Ororo backpedals a couple steps to give the men their space to communicate. Thor's glance in her and Betsy's direction is met with a forgiving expression. Business first, it seems. She analyzes the men and their firearms, watching their formation.

Ororo feels the tear in the air like a sixth sense, but her body does not respond with the same swiftness. Blue eyes dart at the sudden appearance of men, and she shifts into a defensive stance. With a subconscious thought, the gray clouds above begin to swirl.

"Who is foolish enough to attack at this time?"

Psylocke has posed:
    "What in the" Betsy looks off in the direction of the incoming armored suits. She reaches out with her telepathy even as she is verbally answering May's inquiry. "Up to twenty-three if I push it."
    As her mind seeks, she shares what she finds. "Men in the suits. US military. Marines." Her brow furrows as she pushes harder, finding the minds of the men hard to break through. They've been trained. While she's no Professor or Jean, Betsy is still rather formidable, and she forces her way through one of their mental walls, not caring that the man will be aware of the intrusion. There is no time for finesse.
    "They intend to land and eject King Haakon from the ship as well as retracting the Norwegian vessel's permission to dock."

Thor has posed:
    Even as the comms officer speaks into May's ear, she'll see them enact their movements while he speaks. "Agent May, looks to be HAMMER tech armored suits. Twelve suits deployed, they seem to be splitting up." The twelve armored suits split into groups of three to approach the Mercy from four different angles, their heavily laboring boot engines firing with that steady wash of kicked in afterburners, even as they reach relative proximity and their boots shift to begin their deceleration as they shunt down into more vertical stances while they hover near the deck of the wounded ship.
    "The Lincoln has launched her alert one fighters." The comms officer relays as well.
    One of the suits seems to twist in the air and then lands /heavily/ upon the deck with little to no grace, but then it recovers as it brings up its arms as if to hold the people there under the cover of its twin mini-guns.
    "King Haakon, by the order of the United States Navy, and the United Nations Joint Alien Task Force, your permission to be within the designated crash area has been revoked!" The voice comes across the loud speakers sharply, loudly. It's enough to cause the people on the deck to react with tension and no small amount of anger as some of the guardsmen nearby heft their spears in hand while another armored suit lands.
    King Haakon, however, replies back just as loud. "I do not recognize your authority. We are in international waters and your country does not have the right to give nor deny permission."
    But then Thor says in a low rumble. "Soldier, I know not what it is you presume to do here today. But my patience has been gone these past five days. I would speak with this man, and woe unto any that would stand in my way."

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
"Would seem that won't be necessary," Jessica replies to the red and gold-clad Flash beside her. She doesn't know him, but she knows /of/ him. "Even you aren't quite as fast as a telepath." She offers him a wink, and stands steady, uncertain of any command, since two allies seem to be pitted against one another in regard to this man who came aboard demanding to be taken to their leader.

Flash has posed:
Flash smiles a little with a quirk of brow to Jessica, as if to say 'maybe not'. But he's on another approach, now: "So the location is the problem, huh? What iiiiiif," Flash offers from the background, where nobody asked him, "Err, Thor: you two just talk on his Majesty's ship, and it doesn't stay docked? Easy on everyone?" Flash lifts his hands and spreads them wide across him, showing how disarmed he is, looking from Thor and across to the king, in an uncomfortable attempt to be a peacekeeper. His soaked bag has made a puddle on the ground near him under it, but mostly evaporated now.

Psylocke has posed:
    Things just went from bad to worse. As the armored man speaks and raises his arms to put them in the line of fire, Psylocke is already stepping over to place herself physically between the weapons and the two monarchs. Thor could take a few shots and likely shrug it off while just getting angrier than he already is. King Haakon has no such abilities, she doesn't think. She doesn't want the Norwegians drawing their weapons and making things even worse.
    "Stand down, soldier. We know you are just following orders, but you know this order is wrong." Even as she is saying the words, Betsy is giving a little mental push to it. "International waters. What can be perceived as an attack on the sovereign ruler of Norway. An attack on Asgard as well since this is their home. You are on their ship, thus they call the shots. You don't want to be the one that they dump all this on when things go sideways. And you know they are going to go sideways."
    She doesn't glance back to Thor and Haakon as she offers to them in a lower tone of voice while keeping a firm mental watch on the armored man in front of her. "Your Majesties, I can take you to the Norwegian ship. Or anywhere you prefer."

Melinda May has posed:
"Get Fury on the line. He needs to tell the US Navy to back the hell off before they create an international incident," May replies to the person on her comm. Despite very likely being the shortest person amongst the small group, she promptly puts herself between the two monarchs and the armored Navy person alongside Psylocke when the armor clanks down on the hull of the Mercy.

"This ship is the jurisdiction of Asgard, regardless of the waters it's currently in. You WILL tell me who issued those orders, soldier, or I will send you off this boat myself." She's standing completely calmly, though for anyone with sufficient martial arts skill, they'll recognize that her almost over-relaxed looking stance is actually the hallmark of being fully prepared to fight on a moment's notice.

Thor has posed:
    "Roger that," Is heard in May's comm frequency even as she'll hear shouting in the background while people try to move heaven and earth for the senior agent. "Attempting to contact him now, Agent May. Also FYI, the Lincoln is keying up for another launch."
    The other armored suits begin to set down one after the other, clanking with metallic thuds onto the surface of the ship. They surround the small gathering though they hold their weapons in the ready position instead of fully directed at them for firing. Each suit seems to have a variety of other weapons systems that are currently unarmed as they hold there seeming to absorb what's going on around them.
    "I would find that acceptable." King Haakon looks at the marines in their suits, then back towards Thor. "If you wish you can meet me aboard my ship, King Thor." Then he turns to the side slightly, resting a hand on his belt as he looks towards the armored men. "Once we are beyond the cordon."
    "Aye, I think that may be for the best." But then Thor steps towards one of the marines, "Is that acceptable to you, warrior? Or do you seek to tell Thor where he can and cannot go?"
    With this before him and then the subtle nudge from Psylocke, the soldier at the fore of this matter seems to hesitate as his arm lowers a touch. But then a panel flips open on his arm and a display screen dances to life and the image of a white-haired mustachioed man in a brisk white navy uniform appears.
    "Alright everybody settle down. Captain Greyson of the Lincoln. Thor, May. These are my orders. I don't like 'em any better than you do. I can't let that ship go anywhere. And I can't let some maverick politician bust out with the crazy and try and run an end around on me and steal what they can from that ship. You get me? You two wanna talk and do whatever. That's great. But you push me and I will not hesitate to fulfill my orders. You savvy?" The man's stern voice is strong as he comes through the speakers of the armored suit, the Southern twang barely there in his tone.

Flash has posed:
Flash shifts his weight a little, and looks around cleanly at all of the armored suits. Powerful, but slow. Even in normal person terms. But his gaze lands on a group of Asgardian children, and their narrowed eyes aimed at one of the suits. "Um," Flash says to Jessica, and then he's suddenly gone. He may as well have teleported. He's immediately over with the kids, entirely ignoring the whole 'circle of power armor' situation.

"Hi!" Flash says brightly behind them, intending to surprise them. "Let's go somewhere more interesting. If we linger they'll probably make us lift boxes," Flash says, in conspiracy, and gestures to draw the kids out of the area that could become far more dangerous. "Know any better places?"

Psylocke has posed:
    As May takes up a spot next to her. Betsy's respect for the SHIELD agent grows. Then the rest of the armored suits land. She knows there is no way to block the two kings from view with just the two of them, but she is fighting to maintain a level of diplomacy here. Even though she's itching to take the fight to them, that will not help the situation.
    She focuses on the man in the vid and then reaches out her mind in his direction. Slow. Easy. She is working her way into his brain if she can. If all else fails, she may have to resort to using the man like a puppet and having him issue an order for the armored Marines to stand down.

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
Jessica watches Flash...well, sort of. Her keen green eyes snap to where he reappears near the children, and she looks back wide-eyed at the armed and armored suits. Hastening to Flash's side, Jessica adds a slightly more urgent tone as she encourages them to join with him, making sure that none fall back, or are left behind.

Thor has posed:
    That trio of Asgardian children had been eyeballing those suits of armor with a look that bespoke of nothing less than indignant mischief. They had that conspiratorial way about them that was manifest mainly in their eyes and the sets of their mouths in those growly scowls that are entirely unhappy. But then suddenly there is a Flash appearing behind them that has them all abruptly squealing then some of them laughing nervously as they look at him and gather closer to each other. "We didn't do anything, sir."
    "Not a thing."
    But the tall girl seems to actually listen to what Flash is saying, "Umm, the big window room?" She, not that helpfully, points downwards into the hull of the ship.
    But meanwhile, in the standoff, Thor looks towards King Haakon. "We have no intention to use our ship for some sort of transaction, if that is what you mean." He gestures, "King Haakon will depart, and I shall go to him once he is clear. I advise you not to interfere, son of Grey." That said he looks towards Psylocke and quirks an eyebrow as if asking her a silent question but then looks back towards the display on the armored suit.
    Elizabeth, however, can sense that the Captain is deadly serious and would likely place the order if he felt the Asgardian ship was likely to slip out of his control. Yet she is there in his mind to hear him agree to Thor's terms, no hint of dissembling in the waves of his mind. "Very well. You two do what you gotta do. If I had my druthers, Thor, it wouldn't go down like this. But we all got our buckets to carry."
    And as easy as that the monitor flickers off and then the display flips closed on the armored suit. The marines shift their weight back and their engines flare for a moment, then bursts into life as they rises upwards again, though their hovering is a touch shaky. A few more moments and they then end over and shift to flight mode heading back towards the ship.
    For the moment, the tension seems to slip away. Though high above a flight of F-35s roar past.
    King Haakon turns to Thor, "We shall await you soon, Your Majesty." He turns to his men who seem terribly nervous but staggeringly relieved as they begin to make their way back towards their ship.

Flash has posed:
"What? I know," Flash says, shrugging. They didn't do anything, and that's the way he'd like to keep it. Jessica joins him, and he seems to defer to her somewhat. "Do you know where the window room is?" He asks Jessica. "And if there's a toaster in there? Otherwise it's PB&J, or untoasted waffles, or---" Flash was suddenly elbow-deep in his bag midway through his sentence, fishing in it. He keeps one eye over on the situation with the power armor group, but seeing them lift off is a giant relief.

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
"Waffles?" Jessica asks nonchalantly. "I bet we can find a toaster..." She replies hopefully, but not optimistically as Flash digs through the bag. "I think I know where the room she means is located." The threat may have subsided, but waffles hang in the balance. And that is the very /worst/ place for them to hang.

Melinda May has posed:
May watches the armors lift off again, but is still very much wary of them. "Iliad, May. Update Fury. I still want to know who issued those order to the Lincoln." And she's fairly certain that Fury will want to know as well. Because this came VERY close to being a VERY unfortunate situation.

She glances over at Flash and Jessica as they discuss waffles but doesn't say anything to them. Everyone copes with stress differently.

"Allow me to escort you back to your ship, Your Majesty," she says to King Haakon, hoping that this situation isn't beyond salvaging.

Psylocke has posed:
    Seeing the glance from Thor, Betsy gives a terse nod his direction. She's going to continue monitoring Greyson. If he tries anything, she wants them to be prepared. No more surprises.
    "Once they are clear, say the word," she murmurs to Thor as the armored units head back to their ship.