New Way Forward, Stop Looking Back

Raven Darkholme

The Mystique

Mars' First Interstellar Ambassador

"Ugh, how much longer until we get to Nova Prime? I'm officially sick of space traveling."

"Weren't you the loudest asking to come Kitty?"

"But thats different Anna and you know it. If I had known we would've been stuck in this ship for weeks on end I would've changed my mind."

"This is already the fastest ship we have. Besides its not like the return trip will be long. Once we have Nove Prime's star maps traveling through the universe will be much faster."

"As you've said a thousand times Gwen, but there's nothing to do here. Hell even Jean spends most of her day sleeping and don't get me started on Mystique. She's supposed to be our captain but she spends all day besides meals in her cabin."

"Sigh, Kitty we've been over that as well. Raven literally has to learn the cultures and laws of an entire planet before we land there. It won't do us good to go there and become criminals. Besides if it's too slow we can toss all the cargo?"

"And be penniless when we land? No thank you Jean, we'll pass."

Kitty as well as Anna and Gwen were playing a game of Uno as Jean double checked their flight trajectory again. The five of them including Raven, were sent as a first wave of diplomats between Mars and Nova Prime. Natasha spent weeks going over what we had to offer with me in private.

After all those plans they had two mission objectives given to them to carry out. One was to obtain the star charts and hyperspaceo permissions of their sector and any possible allied sectors willing to trade. While the second was to join the Coalition of planets under Nova Prime as an affiliate. According to Carol and Terra the universe was currently split into multiple factions and you have to know what's what or else you get yourself into a bad situation.

First we have the Asgardians and the nine realms they rule over. The realms themselves aren't close to each other but the all share the same hyperspace that the bifrost controls. However the planet Mars is not apart of those realms.

Then we have the two empires of Kree and Shii'ar. Both are conquistador like civilizations that survive off of expansion and conquest. The Kree is a larger empire, however they are currently stretched thin after the Skrull wars got too far out of control. Not to mention Ronan going rogue with an entire elite fleet, and a few others that Carol has visited.

Then there's the Celestials, ancient beings born from the beginning, each with immense power beyond understanding. The Grandmaster, The Collector, Eson the Searcher, Arishem the Judger, Ego the Living Planet, Tiamut the communicator is sleeping on some unknown planet, Jemiah the Analyzer, Nezarr the calculator, Hargen the Measurer, not to mention the one never to mentioned aloud.

One Above All.

Let's just say that particular meeting about all the known celestials running around definitely gave everyone a sense of perspective. Especially after Damien said Tiamut may be seeded on Earth. Carol almost flew out of the palace right then and there.

Anyways it's not our concerns. Good Luck Fury.

I look down at my tablet that finally lit up blue with some weird text that auto translated to 'All Clear'.

"Alright girls enough playing around. We got the green to use their hyperspace so buckle up we got one jump to finish this awful trip."

""YES MA'AM"" the ladies yelled in unison before making eye contact and giggling as they left the game that Anna was clearly about to win and ran to their seats.

Hyperspace lanes are difficult to use since each planet will take certain measures if they own a lane to stop ravagers or other unwelcome guests from suddenly approaching their planet with no warning. So Carol pulled some strings and got us temporary Access codes to their lanes and 3.....2.....1.....

VWOOOOOOOOOSHHHHH

BLEEHRGH! 🤮

I've experienced falling from the sky, escaping a collapsing building, Juggernaut Rampages, Magneto tantrums, Tony Stark speeches, but nothing sucked as much as that.

"Oh Stan Lee, I feel like someone just yanked my entire body through a straw and turned me into a spit ball" Kitty said.

Oddly enough her description was dead on for how we all felt. But nonetheless "Phew, C'mon girls it's time to get serious. Look ahead cuz we're the first mutants on an alien planet!"

The five girls all look ahead to see the giant planet with multiple ships coming and going. The scene was mesmerizing, that is until a bright golden beam came from the planet right to their ship. The girls were about to freak out when I remembered something Damien told me we might encounter.

"WAIT!" I told to Jean who's eyes were already glowing. And just in time as the beam came to a complete stop right before the ship, and the glow suddenly died down. Before them floated a woman with dark skin and curly hair under her golden helmet. A nice body tightly wrapped in a blue skin suit.

Even though she was outside of the ship somehow her voice still carried through to our ears "Greetings friends. I am Eve Bekian a member of the Nova Corps. Prime Unit. Please follow me as I will be your guide for your trip."

"Wow that's so cool. She can speak to us, can she hear us too," Kitty asked in awe and wonder.

"Yes, I can. It's one of the many functions of our helmets. Now come on friends of Carol Danvers, our Leader would much like to meet you."

Alright Mystique change of plans. Third objective, find a chance to grab one of those helmets. Oh I can't wait to see how 9ur lab geeks orgasm over it.

"Let's go girls, follow the lady and mind your manners. Thank you Miss Bekian for your time please lead the way."

The 6 ladies flew back onto the surface of the planet as each of them had their own goals for this trip, even one certain Nova Prime member couldn't help but take a few extra glances at the ship, maybe this was the opportunity she needed.

Earth

Somewhere in Canada

Amidst the Ash and Brimstone

Logan was having a good time. Watching all of his young lanterns free all those children and women in this facility and slowly evacuate them to Mars was very fulfilling.

"I ain't seen you smile like that in a long time chief,"

Logan turned around to see Eric Stevens walking up behind him. Truthfully Eric had mix feelings about the kid but overall he seemed like he just need a new direction.

"Listen Kid, you did good work down here. You truly did, but don't you think it's about time you stop running?"

"I don't know what you mean"

"Right. Keep running, one day you'll find out just how far your legs can carry that burden on your shoulders" Logan walked over as he pulled a ciger out of who knows where and lit it with his ring "Kid you're still young, got a life left in front of you. It may be fine to keep running, but it's different if you're not running alone."

"I..."

Logan reached out and put something in his hand as he started walking off "When you're done being a fugitive Eric come find me. I'm sure your father was a great man, and your family issues have nothing to do with me. Just like your dad's hatred has nothing to do with you. Stop running and go home kid."

Logan didn't speak or look back anymore as a layer of White covered over him and he took off into the skies.

Eric stood there for a minute a little confused. Why was he still running? From what? To where? "Sigh, maybe I am tired a bit."

He walked slowly as he opened his hand and saw a dark violet ring sitting in his palm and he hears Logan's voice once more, 'When you're done playing Fugitive come find me.'

He put the ring in his pocket and thought well Logan, then just one last thing to finish up and then, maybe....I'll go home.