197

Kree People

Earth boasts seas, land, mountains, rivers, flora, fauna—all clearly defined.

The moon, however, differs vastly. It presents a bleak gray everywhere, akin to a monochrome photograph, its rugged terrain barely distinguishable.

Forseti hadn't visited in decades, making it challenging to pinpoint the space channel's location.

Space posed numerous challenges. Though Aesir could survive there, comfort was another matter entirely.

After a moment's thought, he gazed back at Earth.

The moon constantly faces Earth with one side, confirming that the space channel lies on its near side.

Comparing his current view with his memory, he estimated it lay somewhere near the moon's edge, amidst a mountainous region.

Time to search.

Forseti's legs ignited once more as he soared across the moon's surface, scouring for the channel.

Initially, he circled the near edge before meticulously combing through the mountainous terrain.

Despite his expectations, the vast expanse overwhelmed him.

Everywhere was gray, devoid of color or sound—eerily silent. The search area for the space channel, relative to its volume, was immense, akin to finding needles in oceans rather than haystacks.

Days passed, and Forseti had almost circled to the moon's far side with no luck in finding the hidden cave leading to the passage.

Then, one day...

Flying low as usual, a cave resembling his memories appeared before him. He swiftly descended and entered.

The cave was narrow. Forseti wielded his warhammer to clear a path, reaching the end after ten minutes—only to find it, like others before, empty.

Sighing, he turned back through the cave.

Unexpectedly, upon exiting, he encountered a group of figures—over a dozen blue-skinned aliens in space suits, armed with guns.

Both sides froze upon seeing each other.

Instantly, the alien soldiers assumed defensive stances, guns trained on Forseti, tension palpable.

Forseti, too, remained vigilant. After a moment's consideration, he identified them as the alien force he'd encountered on his first visit to the moon, decades ago.

They're still here after all these years?

Troublesome.

"Who are you?" Forseti queried in Allspeak, a language effortlessly communicated in the space environment through mana consumption.

He sought to avoid conflict. Logically, this group wasn't the only presence on the moon. Peaceful coexistence while he continued his search for the space channel would be ideal.

The dozen or so alien soldiers exchanged glances and engaged in a hushed discussion through their communication gear—inaudible to Forseti.

"This individual isn't in a space suit!" Several soldiers exclaimed.

"Could he be Aesir? Captain, any insights?"

Their leader replied, "I've never seen an Aesir myself. Aren't they intelligent beings capable of surviving in space? That's what the textbooks say."

"What now?"

"Let me ask our superior," the captain said, pressing a device near his helmet's earpiece. "Sir, we've encountered an Aesir. Sending visuals now. Requesting instructions."

A prompt response echoed from the device, "Detain him."

The captain hesitated, "Sir, he's an Aesir, and I think—"

"I don't need your thoughts; I need your compliance," the superior interjected. "An Aesir is crucial to the Hive Project. Use any means necessary—deception, persuasion, or your lives—to detain him until reinforcements arrive from base."

"Understood, sir."

As the standoff continued without a response, Forseti's wariness heightened.

He pressed, "Who are you?"

The alien leader projected a text: "Greetings, Aesir. We are soldiers of the Kree Empire Moon Base."

Kree!

Forseti was mildly surprised, yet upon reflection, not entirely unexpected.

In this universe, the Kree Empire—a technologically advanced, ambitious interstellar force—ranks among the most formidable.

The Kree continued, "The Kree Empire explored and established a moon base centuries ago, claiming this territory fifty years past. What brings you here?"

"I seek something lost," Forseti replied.

"Ah, if you require assistance, we're willing to aid," the Kree offered.

Forseti held reservations about the Kree Empire—known for their assertive interstellar presence. Yet, the politeness of these Kree soldiers struck him as peculiar.

"No need. I'll manage on my own," Forseti declined, preparing to depart.

The Kree captain stepped forward urgently, "The moon has long belonged to the Kree Empire. By law, your entry constitutes illegal immigration. Please come with us."

"Illegal?" Forseti's expression darkened. "So if I refuse, you'll arrest me?"

The Kree captain hesitated, "It's not quite that—"

"The Kree Empire values peace and respects Aesir," he interjected. "However, entering Kree territory unauthorized necessitates our intervention."

Forseti sensed something amiss. Glancing up, he discerned distant lights rapidly approaching—several spacecraft closing in on their position.

Alarmed, he swiftly turned and took flight.

The Kree soldiers opened fire, bullets showering down, but none could harm Forseti.

The captain loaded a fist-sized orb into his gun, firing a large metal mesh that ensnared Forseti.

Though briefly hindered, Forseti tore through the mesh effortlessly.

Yet more Kree soldiers fired, layering him with multiple meshes, binding him tight.

Frustrated, flames engulfed Forseti as he surged toward the Kree soldiers.

A scorching trail blazed through the air, incapacitating most soldiers outright. The few survivors, their suits damaged, faced imminent demise.

Melting the mesh bindings, Forseti glanced up to see the distant lights now clearly—a fleet of spaceships approaching rapidly.