Machine Man 88: It’s a suit.

The celebration in the heart of the Chihuahuan Desert was in full swing. The midday sun had begun its slow descent, casting a golden hue across the landscape, but the energy among the gathered locals showed no signs of waning. Music played from a couple of portable speakers, mixing with the sounds of laughter and sizzling grills. The air was thick with the savory scent of barbecued meat, and people moved from one group to another, drinks in hand, sharing stories and soaking in the unusual festivities around the mysterious hammer lodged in the ground.

Alex Arasaka stood at the edge of the crowd, a bottle of beer in one hand and a relaxed smile on his face. He was dressed casually, though with his usual flair—his signature yellow jacket with a glowing LED collar that pulsed gently in the dimming light, paired with black cargo pants and boots. Despite his high-tech appearance, he blended in surprisingly well with the locals, who had long accepted him as one of their own since the start of the impromptu festival. Some of the ladies even stuck close, enjoying the cool breeze from his temperature-regulating jacket, hoping to catch the attention of the billionaire.

As he took a sip of his beer, a soft beep emanated from his phone, pulling him out of the moment. Alex glanced at the screen, noting the incoming call. With a quick look around, he decided against using his built-in comms; talking to thin air might startle the regular folks who were busy enjoying the celebration. He answered the call, bringing the phone to his ear.

Skynet's voice, crisp and efficient, cut through the lively noise. "Father, it's SHIELD. Identity confirmed: Agent Coulson is nearing the site."

Alex sighed, his smile fading as reality intruded on his brief escape from the constant demands of his life. "Of course," he muttered, running a hand through his dark hair. He took another swig of his beer, savoring the taste before he'd have to deal with the ever-watchful eyes of the government. The authenticity of the people here, their joy, and laughter—these were things he rarely experienced anymore, surrounded as he often was by corporate drones and superheroes who took themselves too seriously except a few.

As Alex contemplated the inevitable end of the celebration, a sleek black sedan pulled up near the crater, drawing the attention of the crowd. The car's door opened, and out stepped Agent Phil Coulson, dressed in his typical dark suit and tie, his ever-present calm demeanor in place. He surveyed the scene with a slight tilt of his head, his eyes narrowing as they focused on the crater and the hammer at its center. Pulling out his phone, Coulson dialed a number, his voice calm but with a hint of urgency.

"Sir, we found it," Coulson reported to the person on the other end, most likely Director Fury. "And it seems Mr. Arasaka is one step ahead of us."

A low curse was heard from Fury, his voice gruff even through the phone. "Motherfucker! Ask Alex what he knows about the crash site. I'll send a team to secure the place."

"Understood, sir." Coulson ended the call with a resigned nod, slipping the phone back into his pocket as he made his way toward Alex. The crowd parted slightly, curiosity and a bit of wariness evident in their eyes as they watched the well-dressed stranger approach.

Nearby, Alejandro, a burly Mexican man with a thick mustache and wearing a wide-brimmed cowboy hat, noticed Coulson's arrival. He was in the middle of a conversation with Alex, holding a cold beer in one hand while gesturing animatedly with the other. "Ai, carajo, a suit," Alejandro muttered, shaking his head.

Alex chuckled at his friend's reaction. "A suit? What do you mean?" he asked, though he already had a good idea.

Alejandro tipped his hat toward Coulson. "You know, those guys in black who use those memory-wiping devices and are always messing with aliens."

Alex couldn't suppress a laugh. "Ohhh, those suits. Yeah, I knew the government was always up to no good." making a snide remark and making sure Coulson can hear it.

"¡Exactamente! Always hiding the truth from us like we're kids," Alejandro grumbled, taking a long drink from his beer.

Alex nodded, his expression turning thoughtful. "I'm pretty sure in just a few years, they won't be able to stop us from learning the truth anymore."

"Damn straight, compa!" Alejandro agreed, his eyes gleaming with a mix of defiance and pride.

As Coulson neared, he overheard their conversation and couldn't help but smile, his professional mask slipping for a moment. "I assure you, sir, we don't have those memory-wiping devices. That's just in the movies," he said with a disarming smile, the kind that could easily put most people at ease.

Alejandro looked the agent up and down, then shook his head. "That's what you suit types always say. Bueno, I'm outta here, Amigo. Last thing I want is to get mixed up with these guys. I'd suggest you do the same."

Alex grinned, barely holding back his laughter. "I hear you, hermano. Take care."

"Ai, tú también," Alejandro replied, giving Alex a friendly pat on the back before making his way back to the crowd.

Coulson watched Alejandro leave before turning his attention fully to Alex. "You sure are fast, Mr. Arasaka."

Alex raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Wish I could say the same about you guys. What took you so long?"

Coulson chuckled softly, choosing his words carefully. "You didn't exactly give us a heads-up, can you tell us what we're looking at Mr. Arasaka?"

Alex let out a short laugh, then turned serious. "Do you know about Thor?"

The question caught Coulson off guard, but he recovered quickly, nodding. "I'm familiar. After your last conversation with Director Fury, many of us were tasked with brushing up on our ancient mythology."

Alex using the tip of his beer and pointed to the hammer embedded in the ground, its presence almost surreal in the midst of the desert festivities. "Well, it might be ancient to us, but as I said before, it's no myth. That's his favorite hammer."

Coulson blinked, taken aback by the seriousness in Alex's tone. "Surely you're joking, sir?" he replied, trying to mask his disbelief. The idea of Thor and the myths related to him being real, standing right in front of him, seemed more like fiction than reality.

Alex's expression softened into a wry smile. "I wish I was, Coulson. I really do." He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small USB drive, handing it to the agent. "Here. Details about the hammer—its material structure, its energy properties. Just the basics as some of the materials are of unknown composition. I ran a scan earlier when I tried to pick it up."

Coulson accepted the USB, his mind already racing with the implications of what Alex had said. "Thank you, Mr. Arasaka. We appreciate your cooperation."

"Nice meeting you again, Coulson," Alex said with a nod. "I'm going to head out and find a hotel to rest. We'll talk again once Fury gets here. "

"Wait, Mr. Arasaka," Coulson called out, but Alex was already moving, his stride quick and purposeful. He reached his vehicle, a sleek, neon-accented car that stood out starkly against the muted desert tones. Within moments, Alex was in the driver's seat, and the car roared to life, its head lights and fog lights lit up as the engine roar kicking up a cloud of dust as it sped away into the setting sun.

Coulson watched him go, the weight of the USB drive in his hand a reminder of the strange, powerful forces at play. He pulled out his phone, dialing Fury's number. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the desert, Coulson prepared to deliver a report that he knew would only add to the growing concerns of his superiors.

Alex Arasaka might have left the scene, but the mysteries he hinted at were far from resolved. The idea that the hammer on the ground is Thor's, highly suggested that the Prince of Asgard was likely on Earth as well. For what purpose, Coulson had no idea, but he hoped the hammer would shed some light on SHIELD's ever-growing problems.

Alex made his way back to Puente Antiguo, the desert landscape stretching endlessly on either side of the dusty road. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows that danced across the rocky terrain. His sleek, black SUV hummed smoothly as it navigated the twists and turns of the barren land. Cacti and tumbleweeds dotted the landscape, and the occasional hawk soared overhead, its cry echoing in the stillness.

The small town of Puente Antiguo came into view, a cluster of low buildings nestled against the backdrop of distant mountains. Alex pulled into the town's main street, passing by a few locals who were in awe for seeing such a strange vehicle as his Shion Cayote glided by.

He then stop at a Diner that has a classic feel to it, it's weathered structure with a neon sign flickering "Isabela's Diner" in bright red letters. Its exterior was faded, paint peeling from years of exposure to the harsh desert elements, but the inside was cozy and inviting. The smell of fresh coffee and sizzling bacon greeted Alex as he stepped inside, the bell above the door jingling softly. Red vinyl booths lined the walls, and the counter was crowded with locals sipping coffee and chatting with the waitress, Izzy, who moved with practiced ease, refilling cups and taking orders.

Alex slid into a booth near the window, where he could watch the town's slow-paced life unfold outside. The setting sun cast a warm, golden glow across the diner, giving everything a nostalgic, almost dreamlike quality reminds him of his old home before he got transmigrated. As he enjoyed his meal—a classic bacon cheeseburger with a side of fries—he suddenly heard the unmistakable sound of glass shattering, followed by a loud, commanding voice: "Another!"

Looking up, Alex saw a large, muscular man with long, blonde hair and a beard, wearing a brown jacket that doesn't seem to fit him, sitting at table for four. His face was etched with a mixture of frustration and amusement. Beside him was a woman with auburn hair, wearing a long black jacket and jeans, looking both exasperated. Two others stood nearby: a younger woman with a bright, has mischievous expression who seemed amused by all of this, and an older man who seemed more reserved, adjusting his glasses as he observed the scene.

It didn't take long for Alex to recognize them—Thor, Jane Foster, Darcy Lewis, and Dr. Erik Selvig. Jane was gently scolding Thor, her tone almost maternal, trying to explain the concept of not breaking dishes. The sight brought a smile to Alex's face. Who would've thought the mighty Thor could be tamed by a human woman? he mused.

"Skynet, are you seeing this?" Alex murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes, Father. I've been recording their daily logs using the bee drones," Skynet's voice replied smoothly through his integrated coms.

Alex's grin widened. "Make sure to send me the part where Thor smashes the cup and gets reprimanded by Jane."

"Of course, Father," Skynet chuckled. "As you wish."

As this quiet exchange took place, the door to the diner opened again, and two men walked in. The first was an obese man with a jovial expression, dressed in a faded flannel shirt and jeans. His friend, clearly more inebriated, stumbled slightly as they approached the counter.

"The usual, please, Izzy," the obese man said, settling into a booth near Alex. He looked over at Alex, recognition lighting up his face. "Hey, aren't you that Alex guy?"

Alex looked up, offering a friendly smile. "Oh, it's you guys. How was the satellite crash?"

The obese man laughed, his belly shaking with the motion. "Yeah, we're having a good time with it."

His friend, clearly drunk, slurred his words. "Yeah, until those Feds with their bad attitude and suits showed up."

The obese man nodded. "Yeah, it was fun too bad you left early, you could see how those Feds chased us out." His friend chimed in and said, "I hate those suits man, always showing up like they own the place."

Jane, overhearing their conversation, leaned in, her curiosity piqued. "Excuse me, did you say there was a satellite crash?"

Before the drunk man could reply, Darcy suddenly screamed, "Oh my God, oh my God! It's Alex! Alex Arasaka!" She fumbled with her phone, her eyes wide with excitement.

Dr. Selvig looked up, adjusting his glasses as he studied Alex. "You're right… It is him. What's he doing in the middle of nowhere?" Meanwhile, Thor was completely absorbed in devouring his meal, unconcerned with the commotion around him.

Darcy, now on her feet and practically bouncing with excitement, waved her phone. "Can we take a picture? This is totally going on Facebook!"

Alex stood, offering his hand with a warm smile. "Of course, miss?." Although Alex knew who they where it's best to pretend not to as this was their first meeting.

She eagerly shook his hand, practically gushing. "Darcy", introducing herself and said, "You're like my favorite hero, Mr. Arasaka. I mean, you're so cool! You're a billionaire who actually cares about people. Not just some, you know, rich guy."

Alex chuckled, his tone light. "I appreciate that, Darcy. Thanks for the support."

As Darcy snapped a few quick selfies, Dr. Selvig turned to the drunk man. "What did this 'satellite' look like?"

The obese man scratched his head, trying to recall. "I don't know anything about satellites, but it was heavy, shape like a hammer. I mean, nobody could lift it. They said it was radioactive. I had my hands all over it."

Alex, sensing the man's growing anxiety, stepped in. "You can rest assured it's not radioactive. I ran some tests, so you're in the clear."

The heavyset man let out a sigh of relief, gratitude evident in his voice. "Thanks, man. You know, you're not like those other snotty billionaires. You're a good guy, Alex." He raised his beer in a toast before taking another swig.

At that moment, Thor finished his meal and stood, towering over everyone. He clapped a hand on Alex's shoulder, his grip firm. "Which way?"

Alex nodded, his mind already racing with the possibilities about this somewhat planed encounter. "Fifty miles west of here, I can take you guys there if you wish."

Thor frowned slightly. "Do you have a horse or a carriage?"

Jane, alarmed by the thought of Alex taking her precious experiment/Thor away, quickly stood and grabbed Thor's hand. "We're coming too."

Darcy, still engrossed in her phone as she post the picture of her recent encounter, looked up, surprised. "We are?" Looking at Alex, beside Thor she can't help but smile and said in a joyful tone. "Of course! We're going, can't leave this lunk of log alone."

Alex has finally met up with Thor, Jane and her group how will this encounter end? Find out in the next episode of... Probably on Friday, since this is a freebie for this week. happy holiday to those who have holidays today.