Arc Twelve. Chapter Three-Hundred Forty. Bought And Sold

Coulson had expected the phone call since the Asgardians had made their announcement concerning the Xandarians, and as predicted Peter Parker was now on his way to what could prove to either be a nice peaceful meeting, where the final piece of the jigsaw fell neatly into place, or the belligerent group would tip the table over and an argument would start.

Coulson stood and straightened his tie, "So?" and he motioned to the chair in front of his desk, "do I bother to get us coffee, or is this an ultimatum?"

Peter shook his head, grinning, "Sure, coffee." and as he sat, Phil pressed the intercom,

"Two, both back, lots of sugar." As they waited "So, what is AIM intending on doing. We heard about your little spar with Thor. Did you find anything useful, or was it just to prove a point."

Peter leaned back in his chair, "We proved our point, and Thor isn't what I expected."

Phil nodded as the secretary brought in two mugs, filled with Shield's usual terrible coffee,

"He was not happy from what I heard. You could have caused a diplomatic incident," Phil said, spooning several sugars into his cup, "So why did you?"

Peter followed suit, "blood sample. To make sure he was who he said he was. Something off, and we dont know what. Are we sharing or are you going to leave me in the dark and hope I just mess up again?"

Phil snorted, "the Asgardians are very forthcoming. We know the Nova Corp is a galactic peacekeeping agency, and right now they're allied with the Asgardians as the Kree Empire signed a treaty and then completely ignored it, launching an attack on the Xandarian homeworld."

"So, they want to stop a war out in the greater galaxy?"

Phil nodded "yes, but the wars been raging. When Carol returned, she messed things up. Osborn got free, and in the confusion, they figured Carol was the next best thing. We smoothed things over, let them know that Earth has two Klyntar strains, and Carols wasn't one of the ones that liked eating people."

Peter frowned "I dont think that was your story to tell Phil."

Coulson shrugged, "It is, and we didn't care. How do you think we've been paying for their protection. Schematics on Iron Man, the Banner and Erskine formulas. The only thing they didn't get was Symbiotes and the Stacy solutions. Only because we figured you wouldn't be too forgiving if we did."

Peter took a mouthful of coffee, "and the Augments?"

Coulson shrugged, "Surprisingly enough, there are a lot of species with similar powers, the Asgardians don't care. Thor can conjure lightning, why would they?"

Peter shrugged, "So, what's with the posturing and the threats?"

Coulson frowned, "it's the usual. Wakanda can actually stand up to them, and so could Avalon. You're the same. It's a not so subtle reminder that even if you have powers, they have an empire, and a much bigger gun than you, nothing more."

"You know I can't tell Shuri that, Wakanda isn't going to bend over and let the Asgardians walk over them."

"Doom said the same, but Latveria isn't the issue, and you're right. So, what can we do to make Wakanda stand down Pete? Nobody wants a world war where aliens rain death down from orbit, and nobody wants to be the one who presses the first button."

Peter slid forwards, resting his arms between his legs, and pressing his hands to his face, "So then, we both know what this is about, and what guarantees do I have that Asgard won't just strip mine the country."

"You dont, but Asgard can only promise they won't, but what we can guarantee is that Wakanda will still control the mining, the processing and the delivery. Just that the amounts might be higher, and the payment might not be in Earth currency. Vibranuim is used all over the galaxy Pete, not just Asgard but everyone. Once any of the big fish get wind there is a deposit on Earth, they're coming, Asgard or not."

Peter sighed and lifted his head to stare at Coulson, "So that the big threat? Give it to us or we let everyone else know and you can fight them?"

Coulson laughed and shook his head, "I guess that sounded like that, but no. I can have the Asgardians draw up official contracts. Wakanda doesn't need to do a thing, just look them over and make sure they like what they see. Peter, I know this might look bad, but Earth was getting known. We knew about aliens in the '90s and it was only a matter of time before one of them showed up and knocked. We were just lucky it was one of the good guys, and not something much worse."

Peter leaned back, sighing, "So, this is happening if we want it to or not?"

Cousin nodded, "Shield is a liaison right now, we're dealing with all off worlders, including the Asgardians. President figured as we'd cleaned house ours was the most reliable, and the most paranoid."

Peter nodded, "I need everything in writing, and signed by whoever the Asgardians have in charge. Not you, not Thor. The president and their ruler."

Cousin nodded and pulled out a gold inlaid folder. "Already done. We were hoping that you would see sense, and not drag the world into a war it couldn't win."

Peter snorted as he took the folder, and the writing inside was split into two halves, one in ancient Nordic runes Peter assumed was Asgardian, and the other English, "Great, so uh, can I?" and Peter lifted a small device from his pocket, "Shuri is listening in, and will want to discuss this in person."

Coulson frowned, "I thought Xavier shut those down?"

Peter smiled, "he did, for you." and Phil sighed but nodded.

The ACD was a fake and was to cover Wanda using her magic to open a portal right into Coulson's office, where resplendent in ceremonial robes, Shuri walked in.

"I would say a traditional greeting Director Coulson, but until I read that contract I am not here officially."

Phil shrugged, "I can at least offer you a cup of coffee? It might not be up to the Royal standard but it's decent enough," and as Shuri looked over at Peter he mouthed 'no' and shook his head, much to her amusement.

Peter stood and offered Shuri his seat, and while she read, she nodded her head, "as long as the Asgardians agree, then this is acceptable. We shall sign a non-aggression pact with the Asgardians and the Xandarians." She looked up at Peter, "the vibranium is to remain Wakanda property, without outside interference."

Shuri stood, and Peter took her hand before kissing it, "I shall take this to the Council of Elders, but I see no reason we cannot agree to these terms."

As the portal flared into life, Shuri walked through the portal and it closed behind her.

Coulson smiled, "it's been a pleasure Peter," but as he stuck out his hand for him to shake Peter smiled and shook his head,

"Yeah, that was Wakanda. So what happens with AIM and companies like Stark Solutions? I'm pretty sure you're going to screw us all over, and that the new ARCA will be some Xandarian bullshit."

Coulson laughed, "Paranoid much? You're spending too much time with Fury." but he still reached into his desk again, and this folder was a plain manilla one. "Nothings changing. You might find that Earth's military is equipped by Nova and that maybe, and I mean maybe, some of that tech might find its way to you to examine. We know we're outgunned, Pete, but not outbrained."

"Outbrained?" and Coulson shrugged, "this goes to Pepper. I'm still not allowed to make important decisions by myself," and even as he flicked through it it was all lawyer talk. Even moving into the 21st-century lawyers still loved their old English, and half of this was gibberish to him. Pepper would love it though.

Peter slid both folders together and this time shook Coulson's hand, "Hopefully this won't go south, like the last two times." and Coulson chuckled

As Peter made his way outside, Wanda was already waiting for him, and the pair ducked into a back alley and stepped through a sling portal back to the warehouse, well aware that they had not just tails but active surveillance equipment following them.

Peter laid down the folders on the breakfast table, "one for you," and he slid the golden folder towards Shuri, and the other towards Pepper, who was sitting drinking coffee with Liv. "And yeah, they gave us the new laws. I need it done at the same time. If Shuri says no, we need to be ready, and uh," Peter sat and made himself a coffee, "I'm not going to force anyone. If you read that and quit, it's fine. Pepper, no gutting anyone legally who wants out."

Pepper raised an eyebrow, "the severance alone could bankrupt you, especially if it's me. But fine. We have four days. I'll get the team on this immediately, and let you know as soon as we're finished." Pepper stood and sadly nodded, "but I hope it doesn't come to that. It's been good Peter, yeah, it's been good."

Shuri and Peter watched as Pepper left, "So, do you think they will honour this?" and she waved at the folder,

"Honestly, we can do a lot of damage if they dont. I think that's the issue. We'd lose, a few cruisers against Wakanda and we'll lose but in doing so we can make one hell of a mess. We're maybe not omega power levels like Jean or Scott, but the Symbiotes aren't a pushover either."

"If you wish for peace, plan for war?" Shuri said,

Peter shrugged, "seems like it. But do we go all in or keep something back. I mean, if the Kree do turn up and want the city back if we've hidden anything from the Asgardians, will they use it against us?"

Shuri sighed, "I must consult the council Peter. This is too much for just me to decide. It is still the fate of my people, no matter how fancy they make the package. It may still be poison inside."

Peter nodded, "I understand, well. See you in four days?"

Shuri laughed, "oh no, I will need much love and care after spending all day with those ageing buffoons. You are to pamper me, with massages and anything else that comes to hand."

Peter laughed and kissed the side of Shuri's cheek, "I hear and obey, my queen." and he heard a cough from behind him, "I hear and obey, all my queens"

Damn right Felicia said as she shimmered into sight and Huntress slipped back, "So. you owe me some of that as well" and Felicia slid four vials from her waistband, each one with blood. "Seems off duty Asgardians like to do two things, drink and fuck, and with the rocket fuel Gwen makes, getting a few drunk enough to get these was easy enough."

Peter laughed, "As long as it didn't lead to the second one," but Felicia rolled her eyes and handed the vials to Liv.

Liv looked at the four sample bottles, and then tilted her head, "I will get these done right away, but you will owe me special treatment as I am missing out."

While she complained, Wanda circled her hands and Liv stepped through the portal and into her lab, Peter stood, and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before it closed, and sitting back down he looked at the group before him.

There was plenty of food, as a host could devour the contents of a shopping mall and still be hungry, there was plenty of alcohol, and there was plenty of cream, which Gwen never stopped producing, even after selling its licence to Stark.

Seeing the expectant, and smiling faces around him, he could feel the slight apprehension from everyone at the coming conflicts. Even if war was off the table, for now, there was always a risk of someone doing something stupid and starting it up again. There always was.

He stood, and his symbskin slithered and changed into an apron, with bright red, 'Kiss the cook' on the front. Peter stood in front of the group.

"The only question then is. Do you want to be pampered separately, or together?"