tushanshu | Video;

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[ 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.

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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.

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

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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?

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.

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?

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?

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.

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.

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?

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.

[ He takes a deep breath, releases it in something that sounds suspiciously like a sigh. ]

All right. The last time shapeshifters were involved, we got played. Circumstances were different— [ He hopes they're different. ] —but that doesn't change the fact that we weren't prepared until it was too late.

Maybe that's already happened, I don't know, but we need a plan. We need a way to verify that who we're talking to is who we think we're talking to. If we're going to get out of here, and I'm going to make damn sure that we can, we need to be able to trust each other.

[Tony takes the cue and stays silent (for once). He frowns when Steve brings up the past, because he instinctively wants to cut in. But now isn't the time to get defensive over things that aren't in front of them now.]

Right, we need a plan. The only problem is that we don't know most of these people so there's no sure way of telling they are who they say they are. You could question me and Carol, but the others will be a lot harder to be sure of.

[He rubs the bridge of his nose, trying to focus.]

We'll have to check. Regularly and genetically by someone we can trust.

You've been here longer than I have. Who's here capable of running the tests?

[ Who they can trust is a little dicier, at least until they can sort out who is and who isn't who they say they are.

For Steve, it's been a long time since the Registration Act, since Osborne and HAMMER and the part Tony played in that fiasco, since discovering Tony's part in the Illuminati and what he'd done with the Infinity Gauntlet. They're still blood brothers. Steve might not always like him, but he loves him. And more importantly, he trusts him. ]

Can you make the equipment we're going to need?

Banner.

[He suggests Bruce first because he knows Bruce can do it and thinks he'll be easier to read. He may not be their Bruce, but he's close enough that he thinks they can get a decent idea of who he is.]

It wouldn't hurt to have someone check, either. One of us, once we've been checked ourselves.

[Tony's still recovering from the shock, but Steve is always going to be Steve. They fight, but there's always that level of trust. And if Steve asks, Tony will do his best to deliver.]

I can do it. I'll need a little time, but I can do it.

[He pauses just a few seconds.]

Do you think they're telling the truth?

I'll go first.

[ Steve knows that he's who he says he is, but more importantly, he's not about to ask of anyone else what he himself won't do. If he's going to ask others to be tested to prove their identity, he's going to show them that he's willing to do it first. ]

Maybe it'll help provide a baseline for what we're looking for. And once we've got a few more samples, maybe you can look them over too. See if there's anything anyone's missed.

[ Unless the serum mucks it up. But scientists are clever. They'll figure it out. ]

I don't know. Maybe they're telling us some of the truth, but I don't think they're telling us all of it. That's what concerns me. When people start keeping secrets, innocents are the ones who usually pay for it. In this case, I think that's going to be all of us.

All right. We should pick a few people and talk to them alone first. And... it would help if we could get a kedan sample.

[He trusts Steve even without the test. There's some surface doubt because they can't be sure of anyone yet, but if he has to take anyone on face value, it'll be Captain America. Steve Rogers. The whole things has been bothering him, though, and the sooner they can actually compare samples, the better for everyone.]

I don't think shapeshifters will be able to fool a genetic test, but- [He hesitates, then frowns at himself for doing it.] some people have been saying that they think we're clones.

Clones?

[ That's almost as alarming as shapeshifters. ]

If we're clones, then we need to start wondering how they got the genetic material to make us. And where they're holding our original selves.

[ Objectively, that's the most pressing concern. There are emotional issues that come along with learning that he might be a clone, but he doesn't have the time to worry about them now. ]

How likely is this rumor? Do you have any idea?

That's just what I've heard. A few people mentioned it as a theory, and as far as I know the people at Stark's labs are looking into it.

[He's trying to downplay it, but the expression on his face is vaguely nauseous. That's probably telling.]

It wouldn't be impossible if they were advanced enough. Nothing I've seen yet indicates that level of technology, but if they're using magic to conceal it we wouldn't know. What about our memories? It's different in my case, but if they did make us, then how would they manage to transfer thoughts?

If it can happen with one person, there's got to be a way to do it with others. Even without your unique abilities.

[ This is so far beyond him that Steve feels at a loss, adrift and totally out of his element. They need Reed. They need Strange. They need people who deal in this kind of thing. Not a soldier. ]

What about magic? If there's magic involved, couldn't it transfer thoughts? If they've got a god on their side or something with the power of one, that might be enough.

[He makes a face briefly when Steve says that it should be possible with others. He doesn't say anything, but the statement leaves a bad taste in his mouth anyway. Because it's application on a wide scale, and because, yes, they need Reed and Strange. Particularly Strange.]

Possibly. But assuming they have the power of a god, why waste it on us? Why not deal with the threat directly?

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