Video;

[subject223]

[ The video turns on to a view of a man’s face, and those observant enough to notice nitpicky details might realize that this is a man who’s familiar with and comfortable using strange bits of technology. There’s no fear in his eyes, no outward confusion or panic. He looks calm and in control, and when he speaks, he sounds like it, too. ]

Hello. My name’s Steve Rogers and I just recently arrived from a city called New York. I was debriefed about the situation and I wanted to offer my help to anyone who needs it.

[ He pauses for a moment as he collects his thoughts. These days, it’s not often that he goes somewhere that people aren’t at least slightly familiar with who he is. Providing a brief resume is a somewhat novel experience. ]

I’ve been a soldier for a long time, but I’m also good with my hands. Construction, farming, hunting, good old-fashioned heavy lifting, I can help with that. I can speak a number of languages, too, if anyone needs translations done. I know I’m new, but I want to pull my weight. So if you know anyone who might need a hand with something, let me know.

[ Offering a faint smile, he gives the camera a short nod. ]

Thanks for your time.

Comments

video;

[definingfuture]

[Well... okay.]

Steve Rogers.

[That's it. If something's going down, he won't need to say any more than that.]

[subject223]

Tony Stark.

[ He's only being formal about it because Tony is, and as he continues, he drops the formality. ]

What's our status? How long have you been here?

[definingfuture]

[He was holding his breath a little there. He does relax a little though.]

Well, we're definitely not in Kansas anymore. It's been long enough for me to tell we're outside of any other dimension's range of technological communication, time doesn't make sense anymore, and we're likely to see a lot of doubles.

So, a day.

[subject223]

[ That sounds like Tony. As long as Steve's known him, he's never been one for being idle. ]

I've heard from a few temporally displaced friends of ours already. Sounds like we've got a mess on our hands.

[ When don't they? ]

Were you able to corroborate the explanation the locals gave us?

[definingfuture]

Wait. First, how do you know I'm the Tony you know?

[This has been nagging him.]

...I can't confirm time is or isn't frozen, but we're definitely stuck in some other world. And we're dimensionally locked down.

[subject223]

Aren't you?

[ He looks like the Tony he knows. He sounds like him. He's willing to take it on faith unless he's proven otherwise. ]

[definingfuture]

I don't know.

[That was kind of petulant. He regrets it once he says it.]

Probably.

[subject223]

You're Tony Stark. That's all that matters to me. But if you're concerned, we can try to figure it out.

[definingfuture]

No, it's fine.

So far, there's no way to get back. Something crashed into the residential area earlier, too.

[subject223]

Any idea what kind of something? Were there any casualties?

[definingfuture]

A satellite. Apparently it left some interesting debris. The residents seem to be doing all right now, but I haven't been able to find out where it came from.

[subject223]

Is there anything salvageable left of it that you can get up and running? Assuming your abilities are functional with another world's tech.

[definingfuture]

Already on it, Cap. I'm borrowing some space from Banner and Stark Industries. Did you know they have a Stark Industries here? Run by Tony Stark. Crazy. And apparently there's a world out there where you're President? You should run. Anyway, I'll get it working.

[subject223]

I heard the same thing, but I can't say the White House would suit me.

[ He's not surprised to hear that there's another Tony Stark somewhere out there. That there's one here isn't entirely expected, but after everything, he's willing to set his incredulity aside. ]

Let me know if you do. I'm being told that the turtle's sick, and if that's true, we need to get it well again. Maybe what you found will help.

[definingfuture]

I think you'd have a decent shot. But there's always the conflict of interest to consider.

[Steve's better placed leading the Avengers in his opinion. Dropping information casually seems to be working all right, too. So that's a good sign.]

I'll tell you what I find. Did they tell you that they're recruiting for a war? Nobody would tell me much about what it was about, but if that is part of why we're here, what do you want to do?

[subject223]

No, they didn't. A war against who? And who's doing the recruiting?

[ His eyes narrow, not in anger but in thought, as he considers the implications of this against the information he's already learned. ]

I want to learn more about this. Our primary objective is keeping our people safe in this world. But I'm not willing to disregard the safety of the natives unless absolutely necessary.

[definingfuture]

Not sure yet. That's the point that things end up vague. A few people mentioned it in passing, but details seem to come at a premium.

[His voice sounds light, but there's an underlying serious note under it.]

Maybe there's more to being here than just helping out their sick turtle.

[He hesitates, then continues.]

The satellite that fell couldn't have belonged to the natives.

[subject223]

You think there's a connection? Between the whispers or war and the satellite?

[ It's beginning to sound to Steve like maybe the Avengers need to meet and share their information all that once. With everything being traded piecemeal, it's no wonder everyone's still in the dark about what's going on. ]

Did anyone tell you about their powers yet?

[definingfuture]

I think it'd be a long stretch for a coincidence. What I don't understand is why everything's so closed off. You would think if we were needed they could just ask.

[It's something that bothers Tony, and he's not always the most open person either. But when getting information seems like pulling teeth, his mental alarm bells go off. Meeting would probably be the best option. Thank goodness for Steve.]

What about them? Some seem to be blocked and there's a lot more range, but that's probably because of whatever brought us here. I'm kind of surprised they're working this well.

[subject223]

Some people don't know how to ask for help.

[ He's trying to be optimistic, but optimism only goes so far. And the more he learns about this place and the natives that call it home, the less inclined he is to believe that everything is like it seems. ]

The kedan, I mean. I'm told they have powers. Were you also told the same thing?

[definingfuture]

Maybe they're intimidated.

[He shrugs, but honestly it's worrying. Something doesn't fit, which just bothers Tony on principle. He winces slightly at the next part. Clearly this is news to him.]

You mean magic? I've had a few mention the Emperor. They don't seem like they're using a lot of magic. To be honest there are so many strange energy signals it's hard to tell what is native.

[Or if he is even picking anything up. Yet another reason to be disgruntled.]

I'm not reading a lot of familiar power here, that's for sure. What can they do?

[subject223]

I was warned that they're stronger and faster than the average human. More like me was what my source said. But there's more than that.

[ He wasn't there at the time, but he knows that Tony was. Evidently he didn't remember it, but Steve knows that he experienced it. Worse, Tony experienced the aftermath of it. And while he's been told that they aren't Skrulls, Steve is still cautious. ]

They're shapeshifters too.

[definingfuture]

Well, I guess it's a good thing I didn't start out trying to hit anyone.

[That joke dies before he's even finished speaking. Tony might not remember everything that happened, but he knows enough. That kind of debacle doesn't just disappear from existence.

The next sentence is cold and even. No more flippant humor.]

Nobody mentioned that.

[subject223]

Seems like there’s a lot of things no one’s mentioning.

[ Either because the information isn’t being disseminated properly or because there’s an attempt to hide the truth. And if they’re dealing with shapeshifters… ]

Tony. Can you encrypt this transmission so no one else can see or hear it?

video; 100% encryption

[definingfuture]

Hang on.

[There's a pause as he types. It takes a little bit longer than he'd like, but he also doesn't want to take chances. Once he's comfortable with the security, he nods.]

Okay. We're good, Cap.