Bonus chap!
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The day had been chill ever since we stepped through my new Stargate network. Barriss had been taken away by Discordia to discuss accommodations and schedules. I had been accosted by Apollo for several more tests of the Stargates before we both finally confirmed that the system worked and had little to no health effects on whoever traversed through it. Now I was stuck behind my desk, reading through hundreds of potential business investments and plans.
Discordia had already hired several hundred scientists, a test site and some volunteers from the company's roster. Apparently the project was due to start tomorrow and was focusing on proving, beyond a reasonable doubt, that humans could survive the conditions of the moon given there was food production, a breathable atmosphere and a clean source of water.
We already had all the technology of the Star Wars universe at our fingertips but this was mainly for planning permission for the US government. Speaking of the greedy sons of bitch in charge of this continent, they had been slowly increasing pressure on my company and blocking some building projects around the country. It solidified, for me, the need to make my own moon base and just skip all the bull shit of government.
Next was the survey scans of the Moon, Mars, Venus and Saturn.
Venus:
Classification: Terrestrial Planet
Diameter: ~12,104 km
Gravity: 90% of Earth
Atmosphere: 96.5% carbon dioxide, ~3.5% nitrogen
Surface Temperature: ~465°C
Pressure: ~92 Earth atmospheres
Class-7 Atmospheric Catastrophe World: A planet trapped in permanent thermal equilibrium
The world was uninhabitable to humans unless terraforming was accomplished somehow but that would take some considerable resources, just based off of Star Wars technologies. The clouds were made of sulfuric acid, sulphur dioxide and a complex mish-mash of other chemicals that were constantly reacting to one another and causing instability in atmospheric conditions.
Some positives were present however as the survey did state there was potential for atmospheric harvesting. The sulphur in the atmosphere was conducive to creating advanced battery systems and tibanna gas; of a low quality. The planet was also marked as a potential planet with life present... Due to a certain layer of the atmosphere that supported Earth-like atmospheric quality. There was no confirmation of life however.
Saturn:
Classification: Gas Giant
Diameter: ~116,460 km
Gravity: 1.06 Earth gravity at cloud tops
Composition: Hydrogen Helium Methane Ammonia
Massive orbital resource field detected-
water ice frozen, hydrocarbons, organic compounds and rare isotopic materials discovered
Saturn was the next survey I checked over and it was promising due to the sheer quantity of materials the survey had detected. Fossil Fuel analogues were present in quantities that put the world's reserves to shame. The amount of Iron, Nickel, Gold, Silver, Platinum and other rarer resources made Earth's issues seem petty and inconsequential.
The core of Saturn was also detected to have a concentration of barely stable Metallic Hydrogen, something I couldn't really come to give a shit about since I could make the stable version. Lastly the atmospheric composition could be useful for making a chemical plant in the future if I needed to make droids.
Mars:
Basic Planetary Scan
Classification: Terrestrial Planet
Diameter: ~6,779 km
Gravity: 38% Earth
Atmosphere: Thin CO₂ atmosphere
Ancient weapons fire detected, unusual scars across surface of planet
Mars was the most intriguing as the survey easily found that the world used to support an atmosphere similar to Earth's but was damaged in some catastrophic disaster or attack that puncture the atmosphere with so much kinetic energy that it carried the majority of the material with it into the sun.
Mineral deposits around the planet contained a high concentration of high-pressure materials and gems that were usually formed inside Volcanos or in the core of planets. There were also a few metals that hadn't been discovered by humans or anyone from the Star Wars universe... Something I'd have to investigate thoroughly. The scan also confirmed that terraforming was an option but the world would need to have its gravity artificially increased through technological means or a large injection of mass.
Lunar Survey: Earth's Moon
Designation: Sol III-A (Luna)
Classification: Rocky Natural Satellite
Diameter: 3,474.8 km
Gravity: 0.165 G
Atmosphere: Extremely thin exosphere (helium, argon, sodium, potassium)
Surface Composition -Basaltic lava plains (Maria)- -Anorthosite highlands-: Silicon, Titanium, Aluminium, Magnesium, Iron-rich regolith, Impact glass, Rare Earth Elements
Subsurface: Ancient lava tubes extending for tens of kilometres, Stable bedrock suitable for underground facilities, Polar ice deposits within permanently shadowed craters, Large concentrations of helium-3 implanted by the solar wind
High Priority Resource Assessment: Helium-3, Titanium, Rare Earth Elements
The report for Luna, or the Moon, was rather detailed with in depth details on the many 'soil' layers and the mining prospects once a base was created upon Luna. There were also some concerning signatures from the 'Blue Area' of Luna that depicted an active city with advanced power systems. There was also a chemical/biological compound that had been found that lingers around several craters.
I tapped a finger on my watch, calling for Apollo. Lo and behold he didn't take even a second as his animated holographic self flared into existence with a small animated solar flare.
"Sup boss?" I immediately held up the Luna report, pointing at the various scans of a city below the surface of the Blue Area.
"There is a city on the moon. I want military-level scans done yesterday and I want you to contact Fury and the rest of the Avengers. Get Discordia to increase the production of droids by 50% and scale our real-estate to match if necessary. Also, I'm going to be making some sibling for you..." Apollo became utterly serious as I continued my list of orders, snapping his fingers every second or so; sending off messages.
"I also want you to give Fury the full survey of Luna's Blue Area and the read-outs we have on that unique compound. This is restricted to a need-to-know basis. Barriss is given clearance to know and that is the only person on our side that will be informed, understand?"
"Yes Boss. Tony said he'll be here in five minutes. Fury has responded with a confirmation for the meeting request, says he'll be here in twenty minutes. The rest of the Avengers will take some time to gather but they have all been informed and those that can make it... Captain America, Bruce Banner and Thor, will be here within the hour."
Apollo vanished once again, going back to what he was doing beforehand, as I strove to complete the survey reports.
Titan Survey: Saturn's Largest Moon
Designation: Saturn VI (Titan)
Classification: Ice-Rock Natural Satellite
Diameter: 5,149.5 km
Gravity: 0.138 G
Atmosphere: Dense atmosphere (≈95% nitrogen, ≈5% methane, trace hydrogen, ethane and complex hydrocarbons)
Surface Composition: Water-ice bedrock, Hydrocarbon dunes, Liquid methane and ethane lakes and seas, Frozen organic sediments, Cryovolcanic plains, Rocky ice highlands
Major Surface Materials: Water Ice, Methane, Ethane, Nitrogen, Carbon, Complex Hydrocarbons (Tholins), Ammonia (trace), Organic compounds, Silicates
Subsurface: Global liquid-water ocean beneath an ice shell, High-pressure ice layers, Possible ammonia-water reservoirs, Cryovolcanic conduits, Extensive hydrocarbon reservoirs, Potential hydrothermal interaction at the rocky core
High Priority Resource Assessment: Helium-3 (trace), Deuterium, Ethane,
High probability of advanced archaeological discoveries.
Titan was a perfect moon to create a research outpost and possible colony on, considering the sheer amount of water and the large amount of materials. Hell, I was considering making Titan a ship manufactory considering the presence of Deuterium; which was an integral ingredient to Hypermatter Fuel. Archaeological research would also be important considering the marker the survey had left behind at the end of the report.
Enceladus Survey: The Ocean Moon
Designation: Saturn II (Enceladus)Classification: Cryovolcanic Ice MoonDiameter: 504.2 kmGravity: 0.011 GAtmosphere: Extremely thin water-vapour exosphere with trace nitrogen, carbon dioxide and methane
Surface Composition: Bright crystalline water ice, Cryovolcanic plains, Ice cliffs, Fractured polar terrain ("Tiger Stripes"), Fresh impact ejecta, Silicate-rich deposits near active fissures
Major Surface Materials: Water Ice, Silicates, Sodium, Salts, Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Ammonia, Organic Molecules, Silica Nanoparticles
Subsurface: Global liquid-water ocean beneath an ice shell, Rocky silicate core, Active hydrothermal vent systems, Warm fracture networks feeding cryovolcanic geysers, Extensive dissolved mineral deposits, Possible microbial ecosystem sustained by hydrothermal activity
It was another research moon. There were other ideas percolating inside my mind but they were distant. Honestly I was glad this was the last report that was labelled 'For Consideration' as the rest of the moons and worlds scanned were lacking in the sheer density of potential as these candidates... Yet again, I had only ordered the scans of a few worlds and gotten some quick scans on some moons near those planets.
Sighing I put all the reports together on my table, keeping out the Luna survey for when everyone arrived.
Tony Stark- I'M ON MY WAY!
I facepalmed.
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At the same time, Vanaheim, Chat Loki's Universe...
Tony Stark- I'M ON MY WAY!
Loki narrowed his eyes as he watched the chat, Tony's words sparking a small feeling of urgency. His change of mood had been noticed however as his partner for the night's dinner lightly coughed into her hand.
"Loki, you are making an unbecoming face at this moment... You may wish to rectify it before my father sees you." The Asgardian Prince winced before quickly adjusting his expression into a cordial smirk that drew the swooning sighs of many a maiden around the table.
"Thank you for the warning, Alfeeria, I do not think I could stomach facing your father on the best of days let alone a day such as this." He casually gestured to the meteor swarm crashing in the distance as the rest of the table awaited their entrees.
She giggled before softly slapping his shoulder.
"Of course, as my date you must be seen in the best light. Fortunately I am skilled at reading your moods my prince..."
Loki held back the urge to groan at the knowing spark within her pupils. He really liked Alfeeria but she could be a handful sometimes.
"Yes, I am most fortunate you are skilled my lady." Her giggled quickly changed into a snort before she grasped her mouth and nose with her hand in shock. Loki's expression widened into coyness at her slip of demeanor. That was his expertise, getting underneath people's skin.
Just as she was about to respond to his uncouth behaviour her father stood in his thick fur garments and tapped a glass with a golden spoon. The hubbub around the room slowly died as everyone focussed on the Jarl of the meadows.
"Ahhh, thank you everyone, thank you!" The man shouted aloud with a rustic Norse accent. "I must give my appreciations for all of you coming to my daughter's coming of age ceremony! I would also like to give my appreciation to Prince Loki of Asgard for his gracious presence this fine day... It brings a warm feeling to my heart to know that the monarchs of the Nine Realms care enough about every one of their subjects to send a prince to such a minor event..."
Everyone in the room applauded powerfully, several shouts of adoration echoing in the rafters of the traditional household. Loki stood and gestured for everyone to calm down, his smile stretching out into a cordial grin.
"Thank you, thank you... I would just like to say that not a single subject under our rule is insignificant and that this is no small event. My father, my brother and my sister have all heard tales of the Meadows of Vanaheim and have come to a healthy respect for your people's respect, efforts and knowledge... Now, come, stop focussing on me and pay more attention to the fine lady who this day is meant for!" Loki gestured to Alfeeria.
The blond-haired woman blushed prettily as everyone applauded the Asgardian prince's speech. Her lilac coloured irises meeting his for several private moments before he sat down and took a steep drink of Midgardian ale.
"HAHAHA, what an excellent speech from our prince! Here's to Odin's reign and prince Loki of Asgard!" Alfeeria's father took a swig of ale as well before belching aloud, much to the enjoyment of the crows who all laughed boisterously.
"Now! Let us-" The man stopped mid sentence, his face turning a shade of purple that many had never seen before. Loki's heart thumped deep inside his chest as he watched the man struggle to grasp the pain.
"I- i don't... What is going o-" In an instant he was turned to dust, his ash-like remains drifting to the floor until even they faded.
Pandemonium broke out instantly before another four people started reacting and turned to dust. More and more began disintegrating before Loki turned to face Alfeeria and only found a cloud of ash where she once had been sitting.
Only half the crowd was left and they were panicking, crying and raging as many held the remains of their loved ones in their hands...
"H-heimdal! HEIMDAL!" In an instant a rainbow bridge ploughed through the roof of the building and scooped the prince up and away towards Asgard.
He didn't pay attention to the travel and merely stepped out of the Bifrost with a deathly pallor, his eyes glazed over as he replayed the scene of Alfeeria's father fading to dust and his date ceasing to be beside him, with nothing he could do about it.
"Prince Loki, I must insist you rush to the throne room!" Loki shook his head to break the spiralling thoughts.
"W-why?" Heimdal grimaced in a mix of hatred and confusion.
"Your brother has disappeared... He turned into dust moments ago, followed by Odin... The nine realms are shaking under the strain already and Hela can only do so much." Loki paled even further, if that was possible.
"WHAT HAPPENED!?"
Heimdal took his golden helm off and looked the prince in the eyes.
"Someone has secretly gathered the infinity stones and used them..." Loki immediately grasped his heart as a deep-routed pain sprouted within him. One of his sons just disappeared...
"F-fenrir... He-" Heimdal grunted.
"Go Loki, you need to maintain order and do your job... as King of the Nine Realms."
Loki Odinson- HELP! I NEED HELP!
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