"Today marks a monumental occasion," the reporter on the TV said, "We welcomed the Asgardians, and they brought us new hope, that Earth was not alone in the galaxy. They brought us new technology and new medicines. And today we welcome a new ally from the Stars. The Xandarians."
The camera pulled up and like a movie special effect several large ships warped into the birth summer sky.
"We have had word that the Xandarian emissary is taking the stage, so we go live to that now."
Peter and the warehouse stared at the TV. They had considered going, as the Asgardian embassy was hosting the event and it was in Manhatten, but Carol had been apprehensive and they could understand why.
Thor and Loki were supposed to be there as well, and relations between the three groups were strained, not that the public knew about it.
Carol had unofficially been given a fugitive status, and while no one came to arrest her or take her away she was worried that the Xandarians and the governments of Earth would use her as a bargaining chip, in another one of their stupid schemes.
"Greetings People of Earth. It is with great pleasure that I am here today to welcome you into our glorious Nova Empire. We have reached accords with nine of the Earth's governments, and are negotiating with the rest to ensure a peaceful transfer into our galactic power." the emissary paused and took a small drink of water, "As part of the empire, you will be under our protection, and enjoy autonomy. While there may be some laws that change, there will not be many, and in return, you will enjoy all we can offer you. We do not force civilizations into entering the pact, but we will offer protection against those who would try to harm your citizens."
Cameras clicked and flashed as the reporters jostled forwards,
"I will take questions." and he motioned at a reporter Peter recognised.
"Betty Brant, Daily Bugle. If you are not interested in taking over, then what does the Empire gain from a treaty of this kind?"
The emissary smiled, "Like any treaty, we take trade partners. Sharing military and medical aid while receiving goods and services found only on Earth is part of any treaty. We will always welcome trading partners."
"Alan Smith New York Times. You mentioned laws. Can you give us any examples of what we can expect to change?"
"The Nova Empire has laws concerning the treatment of its citizens. If a planet that formally signs with us fails to meet these standards, of course, we naturally enforce them. I cannot give you a specific example though, I am still unfamiliar with all of Earth's laws."
"Mike Layton. New York Inquisitor. While Earth is protected, will we be required to serve in the Xandarian military?"
The emissary nodded, "not required, with all military service the Nova Corps will accept human applicants, and if you can pass our physical and intellectual requirements then we provide the required training. But, we do not allow our armed forces to serve on their planet of origin. Split loyalties can create problems, and confusion if an aggressor tries anything."
"Flora Barns. New York Examiner. We have heard reports that Wakanda has refused to meet with you. As they are the technologically dominant country on earth, what has your response to this been?"
A small frown coursed the face of the emissary and he looked over at one of the World Security Council members who was rushing to the stage, "No more questions," and she covered the mic with her hand. "Get him out of here." and the emissary was taken from the sage, stopping briefly to wave at the crowd and let more pictures be taken.
After the emissary had left, "Wakanda has made its position clear. It will not ally itself with any country welcoming the Xandarian Star Empire, nor will it allow the Nova Crop access to their Golden City. It is not US policy to interfere with the diplomatic missions of other countries but if Wakanda is the only holdout to the new treaty then it will be signed without them, and they will be treated as hostile."
Peter clicked the remote control and shut the TV off. "Well, that was a shit show. Carol?"
Carol looked the most nervous of them all. "Peter, it's bad. I heard there were already steps to sign the treaty and that was years ago. You need to want Shuri they won't take no for an answer."
He nodded, "I don't have to. Shuri and I talk every day, I already know what was going to happen."
Peter started a video file on his work pc, and it showed several Xandarian fighters flying over Wakanda as their energy shield flickered into life, covering the whole area.
"They've made themselves clear. Either Wakanda lets them in, or they let themselves in."
Carol sighed, "Do we know why?"
He nodded, "Shuri and I deciphered the ancient tablet used to control the city and the ship. It's alien, and we think it's either Xandarian, as they're mentioned a few times, or another species we don't know about."
While the files he had received from Optimus were helpful, they didn't have an alien language database, only a single phrase, some kind of universal greeting. Which Peter had loved and used constantly until the women of the warehouse grabbed him and threatened to beat his ass senseless if he uttered again.
Carol frowned, "Can I see?" and Peter shrugged and handed over his phone. He had taken snaps of the hieroglyphics before Sue and the others had started complaining, and Carol shook her head as she stared at them
"Shit, this is bad. This is Kree." and Carol handed him his phone back.
"Optimus mentioned them, but the files only mention them briefly. He didn't give details. Good or bad for us?" and she shook her head
"Bad, for everyone. The Kree are giant assholes. They are controlled by a giant supercomputer called the Supreme Intelligence. Militaristic, xenophobic and specist to book, all rolled into a giant ego the size of a planet. If the Xandarians think the Kree have been here before, they might stomp Earth and take Wakanda if they think it's a Kree outpost." Carol leaned back and rubbed her eyes. "They don't know about the vibranuim, that's why Shuri is keeping them out." Peter smiled and nodded.
"Yup, cause we all know that's exactly what's going to happen."
Carol swore, "war, it won't end any other way."
Peter rubbed his forehead, "we just had one, and we don't have the Mind Stone this time to clean the mess up. How many other countries are refusing to work with the Xandarians."
"Wakanda, Korea and Germany. Rumour has it the Xandarians turned up and demanded Helen Cho and her cradle, and Germany took one look a the treaty and shook their heads, the whole Nova Empire and Nova Corps have them worried about a repeat of history."
"It's Russia and the Red Room I'm more worried about," Natasha added, "Omega has been quiet since Doom arrived."
Peter leaned forwards, lifting the report, "What did Doom say"
Natasha laughed and cleared her throat. "Doom has no interest in the pettiness of empires. Doom will do as Doom pleases," and even Peter laughed.
"Yeah, not the kind of guy to submit to anyone." and Peter tapped a finger on the kitchen table nervously, "and Charles?"
Jean sighed, "They have one of their cruisers parked in orbit over the moon, as well as more in the solar system. Charles is making waves, but so far the reply has been, come and stop us."
Peter shook his head, with Earth refusing to recognise the colony as legal or separate from Earth's laws, and only being forced to as nobody could get there Charles was fine, now the Nova Corp was butting in, he wouldn't see that ending well either.
"Will Charles take advice? Or does he have his own plan." and Jean shrugged.
"No powers, not a peep until they do something stupid and then hammer them flat. Don't hold back. Charles might not like it but I think a show of force is required here. Tell him that if he wants independence, then is going to be bloody, and if it's the Xandarians getting that bust lip, then Earth will fall in line."
Jean nodded, "he might not like that though. He's been trying to go for the peaceful coexistence angle, but Erik probably will. After Pietro was hurt he's changed."
Wanda nodded. "Dad thinks that it will take your way to get Earth to leave them alone, he will probably be thinking the same thing." Peter knew Wanda was slowly reconnecting with her father. The shock of his age change was a bit much, and it might have been a better idea to actually talk to his children before he did anything, but nope, they went and did it anyway.
Peter took a breath and huffed it out, "So, what about AIM and Parker Inc?"
"Pepper is busy running wild with the fallout of the congressional hearings. We're fine financially, it's politically we're not so great. That damn ARCA keeps rearing its ugly head." Liv answered, "They want a complete physiological breakdown of not just the formulas but the Symbiotes as well. You might have taken Starks disruptor out of the equation dear, but they just want another built."
Peter leaned forwards, resting his forehead on his hands. "Give it to them, but leave out the ability swapping and the powering up by host jumping. Add in some bullcrap about a bonding being permanent, and that we can change colour. Give them a list of every symbiote made, their colours but not everyone's powers."
Liv nodded "are you sure though, it will give them avenues to exploit any weakness they can find."
"Better to give them the almost right information, and leave them scratching their head if something will work than nothing and have them build another weapon like Tony's."
Liv shook her head, "and if they insist on sample data, actual symbiotic tissue?"
Peter laughed, "Tell them to get their own. If Flash wants to give up a sample, or god forbid they're stupid enough to ask Maria that's fine. But nobody gets made to do anything they dont want to, and that included this. The Symbiotes are still living creatures. They can call all the laws and idiocy they want but they still have rights and still get protected."
Liv nodded, "I'll arrange with Pepper. If this goes through proper channels I can get our legal team to make sure that nobody pulls any fast ones."
"Oh and make sure the Xandarians aren't involved. They get nothing." Petre leaned back with a serious look on his face, "and if anyone comes with a warrant for Carol, give them hell. Hole up in the basement and stay there." He sighed, "but, do what you need to. They came after us once, this time, dont hold back." and the group nodded
"I can get one of the professor's ACDs, if he agrees we can evacuate to Avalon, and Wanda?" and she nodded.
"I'll keep a sling ring on me, I can get there myself, just give me a shout."
Peter sighed, "well, this is depressing. Anyone got any good news?"
Gwen smiled, "Stephen says I can train with him and Wanda." and she proudly held out her own sling ring, "I uh, can't use it though, some small yellow sparkly things but nothing big enough or stable enough to travel through." and Wanda shook her head
"Because it's a complex runic magical formula powered by will and intent, not yellow sparkly things. I would have thought that you of all people would recognise the need for proper measurements and formula."
Gwen huffed and leaned back in her chair, "they are yellow and sparkly, so bite me."
Wanda laughed, "she is really in a mood because Stephen would not tell her if unicorns were real."
Gwen huffed, "dragons are real, so why not unicorns?"
Wanda moved over and kissed her gently on the side of the face. "Because everyone would hunt them for their horns if they were real."
Gwen looked up at her, "So you know?" and Wanda grinned but shrugged, "Oh come on. See Pete, see what they put me through."
Wanda laughed and kissed her again. "Poor baby, it's not fair is it, getting picked on and being the bottom of the class." and Gwen pouted and huffed.
Everyone laughed as the huffy Gwen doubled down and sunk down into her chair.
Peter frowned though, "wait, dragons are real?"