Group Think

Twenty-fifth Street

1 Hour After Graviton's Arrest

Six heroes sat around tables with a Norse God and a Gamma Superhuman taking up an entire side.

Fastrack took another bite of his burger before narrowing his eyes in confusion toward Tony Stark. "So you basically invented stable cold fusion."

"Yup. Didn't really think much of it until I got kidnapped." Tony sighed at the memory. "A friend and I built one in a cave with a box of scraps."

Hulk huffed. "The power of the sun in the palm of your hand."

Iron Man stroked his chin. "Ooh. That's a good one. I could definitely use that for PR. I'll make a note of that for later."

Thor crossed his arms. "I will admit that the power is reminiscent of the forges of Nidavellir. The very energy of a dying star was used to forge my mighty Mjolnir."

The Norse god received several looks in disbelief at the method of forging used for his weapon. They would have to circle back to that later.

"I recall a potential thesis paper on Fusion Power a few years beach from an MIT graduate. Too bad he ever went through with it. Joined the U.S. Atomic Research Center instead. I think his name was Octo or something."

Within Hulk, Banner sighed at the mention of his former workplace. They were more interested in developing weaponry than the quality of life developments.

The alien put his food down and gestured to Iron Man. "How are you not the richest man on Earth yet?"

"I was honestly thinking the same thing," admitted Wasp. She sipped from a champagne glass. "Doesn't the Arc Reactor put an end to fossil fuels?"

Tony huffed. "Arc Reactor Technology is a trade secret to my company and me. I'm not planning to start mass-producing them for the public. Not yet anyway."

Fastrack rolled his eyes. "From what we saw, that hasn't really stopped the government from taking your designs. What did they call their suits?"

"Ugh… Mandroids. They can't even come up with a good name." He downed his glass. "I swear my legal team is gonna be on their asses for violating my intellectual property."

Hank cut into his chicken. "While I'm glad that you aren't willingly selling weapons to the military anymore, Tony, there are alternatives for your tech."

"No one said you had to mass produce them," added Janet. "You could make privately owned power plants around the country and sell the power at a competitive price. Heck, I'm sure you could go global with the idea."

Tony paused, letting the thought soak in. "...That's actually not a bad idea. Might have to work out some stuff for privacy concerns, but I'm sure the board would finally shut up if I bring it up."

Hank sighed. "Unlike you, Tony, I try to avoid the business politics in my science advancements."

"Yeah, you just let me handle all of it," snarked Janet.

Tony held his hands up in defense. "I'm working on it. We're still converting from a weapons manufacturing company."

Fastrack smirked. "If it does go global, those oil countries might hate you for that."

He waved off the concern. "Eh. They already do. I've canceled all military contracts in those regions."

Janet smirked. "You're just like Hank. I keep telling him he could do so much more with his particles."

Hank took a sip of his lemonade. "Janet, I've told you many times. Giant hot dogs aren't the solution to world hunger."

"Yeah. Yeah. I know, but you get what I mean."

Both Thor and Hulk paused eating their roast beef. "Are you saying you could turn this one meal into one that can feed an entire village?"

Ignoring the glint in their eyes, Hank answered. "Well, yes, but the long-term effects of consuming altered food haven't been tested yet."

"Hulk willing to take the risk."

"As am I," cheered Thor.

Janet grinned wide. "Would you look at that, willing participants?"

The scientist groaned. "I am against human test subjects, but then again, you guys are more resilient than the average human."

Fasttrack offered an option. "Ignoring meat products, maybe you can run some tests on growing larger crops."

"That is a possible route. I'll have to run it by the staff, but I should be able to get a testing group set up."

Tapping his glass, Fastrack spoke again. "How small can you go with your Pym particles anyways?"

Hank and Wasp shared a look, reminiscing their first discovery of the place between atoms and subatomic particles. "Very," answered the two of them.

Feeling there was more to that vague answer, the table decided to move on. "Considering you guys already worked on that Micro-prison, I take it that you considered the use for transportation and storage?"

"Yup!" answered Wasp. "If it weren't for us working with some of the major distributors once in a while, Hank here would have blown through his grants and savings within a few months."

Her boyfriend coughed. "In my defense, it's all in the name of science."

"That's what all planets say." Fasttrack took a sip. "With all you super geniuses running around, it's absurd that you're still a level 3 planet on average. Then again, one could argue that's for the best."

"Level 3?" questioned the others.

Seeing their confusion, Fasttrack blinked before correcting himself. "Think the Kardashev scale but more specific. Level 1 is just simple machines with Level 3 including nuclear fission."

Tony and Hank grew more interested.

"If that's the case, who has a higher level, Iron Man or Ant-Man?" inquired Wasp.

The alien narrowed his eyes in thought. "Well, armored suits vary depending on capabilities. I've fought ones that are Level 12. As for Iron Man, Nuclear fusion counts as level 4. Energy projection weapons are at least level 5."

Hulk was intrigued that general nuclear research was in the level 3 to 4 range. He supposed that it mattered more in how that energy was used."

"As for Ant-Man… how far are you into nanotechnology? Have you reached the stereotypical gray goo scenario?"

Hank waved off the question. "Nothing like that, but I am working on nanoscopic CPUs."

"You might be level 5 as well, depending."

Iron Man huffed. "If we're level 5, why are we still a level 3 planet?"

An alien brow raised. "I did say average. Do either of you plan on having this technology available to the public?"

The two stayed silent as Wasp put her hands in the air. "I knew it!"

The blue alien rolled his eyes. "As expected. All planets have their outlier geniuses, but rarely do they ever share it with the masses."

Wanting to move from this topic, Tony turned to the local god. "So, Thor, if that is your real name, what's Asgard like?"

Ignoring the man's skepticism, Thor "It's a fantastical place far beyond your segment of time and space."

The hero smirked. "If any of you are wondering, Asgard is technically a level 5 planet."

Eyes widened and turned back and forth from the God of Thunder. "What? How?"

"Public faster than light travel."

Tony and Hank cringed. "... Dammit."

Thor brightened at the compliments to his home. "Yes. The Bifrost Rainbow Bridge is a sight to behold."

With a shake of his head, the alien turned to the green giant. "Bruce… Hulk? How's it feel to be free… in an extra-legal sort of way?"

The giant took a breath. "No more running is good."

"Yeah, well. You've got a new home with us, big guy," smirked Janet.

Hank blinked. "Which is where exactly? If SHIELD has their Hellicarrier, what do we have? Where would we even have it."

Eyes drifted to Tony. "I have some thoughts."

Hank placed his head in his hands. "Please tell me your first thought wasn't to buy out a skyscraper for us in the middle of the city."

Tony's silence spoke volumes. "... Maybe."

"You're just trying to one-up Richards, aren't you?" accused Wasp.

"No!" replied Tony.

"Really? So hypothetically, if we were to have an Avenger's Tower, where would it be?"

"...Across from the Baxter Building."

Hank and Wasp deadpanned at the answer. "You do know that property values have dropped in that area significantly. No one wants to live around the guy who gets attacked by Doctor Doom or the occasional lab accident."

"Or the guy that shoots fire."

"Exactly. It'll be cheap!" argued Tony.

"That doesn't paint a good picture either."

Ben gestured to their heavy hitters. "Considering who's on the team, we'll need some buffer space. No offense, Hulk."

The giant simply shrugged. "More space is good.".

"Okay. Okay." Tony held his hands up in defeat. "Taking that all into account, I think I have just the place. I'll let you guys know as soon as possible." The others reluctantly agreed to see what Tony would produce. "Enough about us. I think it's time we talk about you, Mr. Whiskers. I've seen the Green giant and the Goldie on the news occasionally, but you're new."

Thor beamed at his companion. "The Changeling and I have fought alongside each other against the coup by my brother. I can attest to his character."

Janet blinked. "I'm sorry, what? Asgard was attacked?"

Thor chuckled. "Attacks happen more often than you think, but our forces handle them most of the time."

Tony brought up holograms of Stinkfly, Chromastone, Humungousaur, and Way Big. "I don't know exactly what a changeling is, but the name fits. What are you anyways?"

Hank was too busy writing notes on a napkin after analyzing the hologram of Stinkfly. 'Just ask him to turn into that insect again.'

The foreign hero shook his head. "In short, I'm kinda like Thor, technically an alien. Well, part alien."

Janet raised a brow. "Part?"

Ben shrugged. "My Grandpa married one."

Tony grew a bit more interested. "Really?"

Ben rolled his eyes. "Do you believe the people wondering about intelligent life out there didn't even consider the possibility of having sex with them?"

Mouths opened to rebuke only to close, unable to deny the thought.

Thor coughed into his fist awkwardly. "I have met my fair share of maidens throughout the realms in my early years."

Ben waved off that topic. "In any case, regarding what I can do, it's a gift." 'In more ways than one.'

"Does it have anything to do with that green symbol you always have?" asked Janet.

"Kinda. This is a peace symbol."

Tony raised a brow. "How many-"

A waiter interrupted their conversation and placed a slip of paper on the table. "Here's the check."

Looking at the amount before tax, tip, and convenience charge, Ben whistled before patting Hank on the back. "Well, it's getting late. We can continue this another time. I'm sure you got this covered." The only reply he got from the good doctor was an exasperated sigh.