13089/Monarchs of Heaven and Earth

Monarchs of Heaven and Earth
Date of Scene:	16 October 2022
Location:	JLA Rotunda - Atlantic Starport
Synopsis:	Maxima visits the new spaceport displeased by news of the Shi'ar presence. There she meets T'Challa and eventually they find some common ground.
Cast of Characters:	Maxima, T'Challa

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Maxima has posed:
    To say that things have been eventful for Earth's first Starport would be an understatement. It has attracted all manner of visitors both domestic and cosmic. One face has been conspicuously absent though. You would think the Justice League's very own princess of a vast interstellar empire would be one of the first to make use of a new starport, but you would be wrong. For whatever reason, perhaps Justice League business or interstellar politics, Maxima has yet to set foot there. Until now.

    In the center of the Justice League rotunda a line of yellow energy appears vertically in the air. The line quickly widens on either side until it has become a glowing circle nearly seven feet tall and from this glowing circle steps Maxima, the warrior princess of the Almeracian Empire. "I, Maxima, have returned." She announces like some sort of proclamation to whoever might be around. "So this is Earth's new starport."

T'Challa has posed:
Amid some of the hustle and bustle of the Starport, heroes of various design come and go. It has been a place where people in different groups can join each other for conversation, in or out of costume. Visitors occasionally get the chance to meet some of them, as well.

T'Challa, otherwise known as the King of Wakanda and Black Panther, is on his way through with a pair of Dora Milaje flanking him. After the latest Shi'ar visit, double and triple checking various safeguards and defenses only made sense, especially given some of the information that was shared.

His look is obvious, what with him currently clad in what would be considered his superhero costume. Close to the rotunda for the JLA, a circle of light draws the eye and he squints in that direction from behind the mask.

Maxima has posed:
    Maxima may have been off world again. She's dressed in her own 'super hero attire', a metal space bikini, cape and thigh high boots rather than anything an Earthling would be caught dead in. Along with her mane of voluminous red hair, it's a striking profile. There is also that imperiousness to her attitude that tends to ebb a bit when she's around more down to Earth humans more or at least when she's around Kara.

    Bright emerald eyes scan over the passing faces of the spaceport. Unknown. Unknown. Unknown. Beneath Notice. Unknown. Man in Catsuit. "I believe I remember you. I am Maxima." She announces herself again. Perhaps she was expecting to see Superman or Wonder Woman or perhaps the Sea Man, but they are nowhere to be found and Scott and Kara have kept telling her she should meet more people.

T'Challa has posed:
Black Panther /is/ familiar with the look, if in passing. Probably filed away in some databank or other record. "Yes," he answers. "You certainly are," he remarks. The mask does a fine job of hiding expressions and much of anything else, affording him a sense of mystery. They are of similar heights, depending on the style of her boots, and he turns to close the space between them for easier conversation.

"I am the Black Panther. What brings you to the Starport, Maxima?" A simple enough question to begin with, his arms crossing casually, for him.

Maxima has posed:
    Maxima also crosses her arms, it is a very natural reaction for her and likely isn't even a conscious one. "I heard Earth was finally building its first spaceport and decided to come and see it for myself, only to then find out not only had the Shi'ar," There is pure disdain in the way she says that word. "Been here, but caused an altercation on top of that. And after I warned them not to return."

    Her gaze shifts this way and that as she speaks. "Everything still seems to be in one piece and functional though." What was she expecting? A smoking crater? Maybe.

T'Challa has posed:
There /is/ the sense that the man's eyes narrow behind the feline-like visage, with its muted features. It'd appear capable of giving off that sort of expression to indicate something, at least.

"Yes, they have been here," Black Panther replies, a clear note of annoyance in the words. "We have been dealing with the repercussions." No claws are currently visible at the fingertips, but one might imagine them ready to come out at a moment's notice. The Dora Milaje maintain a quiet but attentive presence. Certainly, they will be discussing this woman amongst themselves later.

Maxima has posed:
    Maxima's features are not hidden and the Space Princess feels no need to hide her displeasure at the confirmation of the continued presence of the Shi'ar around Earth. "For the services of Scott Lang to the Almeracian Empire, we declared this planet under our protection, it's independence to be preserved. The Shi'ar will be punished." She pauses. "Though I am curious, after their last invasion attempt and occupation of the Watchtower, why were they welcome here at all?" Almeracian Warriors have long memories when it comes to battles waged.

T'Challa has posed:
"The violence committed here was unacceptable, but the one behind it has confessed even if, as far as I am aware, no remorse has been shown," Black Panther answers, his body language slightly more stiff than before. "But I will not condone further violence by anyone here in retaliation. That is not what this place was built for. It is a..learning experience in matters of diplomacy, but do not take that as if I have not given strong thought to banning their presence. As for their welcome, they have had interactions with the X-Men, for one."

He gestures toward Maxima with a gloved hand, palm up. "What can you tell me of your experiences with the Shi'ar? It may help shape future discussions."

Maxima has posed:
    Maxima lets the statement about not condoning violence go without comment. Space is a big place, lots of room for bad things to happen to those who deserve it. "The X-Men?" She doesn't seem familiar with them from the way she says their name, perhaps owing to the secretive nature of the group. "Are they women or something else now? If they are in league with the Shi'ar, you would be wise to be wary of them."
    "The Shi'ar," Maxima continues. "Are extremely violent and brutish. They are honor-less and will use any means they can come up with to expand their empire." It really seems to be the 'Honorless' part that she finds particularly offensive. The Almeracians after all are also a conquering Empire, but they are at least more civilized about it, at least in their own minds. "On their last visit to Earth they came under the pretense of Diplomacy only to launch underhanded attacks rather than stand on the field and fight, their ambassador hid himself away like the coward he is letting others perish in his place. They have attempted to encroach upon our border worlds in the past, they will play at friendship but do not believe them. They should be crushed at the first opportunity."

T'Challa has posed:
"..."

This is Black Panther's first reaction to the question of the X-Men, and the best way Maxima can see this is the fact the mask dissipates from his face, the rest of his head still framed by the costume tech. He's left to stare at her for a few moments before he states flatly, "No. It has to do with the X-gene, and overall, they have been allies."

He listens to the information shared about the Shi'ar themselves, crossing his arms. "That is something I will keep in mind. I already have reservations about their presence on Earth given past events related to the Justice League and the Watchtower, but there are bigger issues in play around some of this. I will discuss this with the others and look for their feedback on it and how it may affect matters here, but I am keeping a close watch for anything I deem suspicious."

Maxima has posed:
    The Almeracian warrior princess crosses her arms. "Perhaps, however the loyalties of any in bed with the Shi'ar are questionable." The mask dissipating doesn't seem to surprise her overly, but then with her empathic abilities the mask likely wasn't concealing much.

    "The Shi'ar do not truly believe in diplomacy unless it is capitulation. They attempted to invade this planet once already. That they have returned shows they desire this world. Though it is not hard to see why, it is a veritable treasure trove of potent warriors. Impressive by any measure, even if the average Terran is rather fragile. Trusting them, however, is a mistake that was already made once." In the end she shrugs lightly. "But do as you see fit. However, if they cross paths with me outside of this place," She gestures at the spaceport around them. "I may not be so generous."

T'Challa has posed:
Black Panther holds up a gloved hand. "Do not mistake my willingness to listen to them for weakness in any way. There is much that can be learned from allowing others to speak. I do not give my trust easily. It must be earned. If there is something to their current leadership seeking peace, or if it is all another ruse, the truth will be found out soon enough. I am already making preparations for various outcomes."

He gives the Almeracian a slow nod, after this. "Your affairs with them away from Earth and the Starport are yours to handle, to decide whether or not to seek the aid of others. While you are here, I will of course ask you to abide by certain standards of peace, unless you are legitimately forced to act otherwise. I am not pleased with the events that have already happened, and I am trying to find a balance between then and now. If they do believe in capitulation, they will find more resistance than they may expect."

Maxima has posed:
    Maxima shakes her head, "The Shi'ar do not care for your trust one way or the other. Their words are a ruse to either gain capitulation or to distract while they prepare to strike. It is a pattern they have demonstrated countless times, including here not long ago. You listen to them at your own peril. However, I grow tired of repeating myself."

    She listens to the request at least. "Where this spaceport is concerned, I have no desire to stop this planet's technological growth and increased self-sufficiency. Where the Earth as a whole is concerned, I will honor my word as it has been given to Kara, the one called Superman, and Scott Lang." Those are apparently her rules of engagement, but it was at least good enough to convince the League to admit her.

T'Challa has posed:
"Your concerns have been noted," Black Panther states, his way of telling Maxima that he is reaching the end of his desire to discuss the Shi'ar and the issues surrounding them. He has made his position clear, as she has hers.

He changes the subject, or at least seeks to. "I know you have been admitted to the Justice League, but our paths have not crossed previously in any significant way. How long have you been on this planet? What has stood out the most to you about it and its people?" An attempt to learn a thing or two about her, while the chance is there.

Maxima has posed:
    Maxima too seems content to let the subject go. Though if she feels like answering other questions is another matter entirely. "Long enough to fight off two attempted invasions, the Shi'ar being only the most recent. My presence in this League, the protection of the Almeracian Empire over this world, is a boon granted to Scott Lang by the Empress Zeenith for a great service to the Empire."

    She stops and considers for a moment before answering the second part of the question. "The people of this planet are fractured and weak, it leaves them vulnerable to invasion and worse. There is no centralized government, no unified response to anything. A few however rise above the rest and protect the others, protect their flawed way of life and allow them to keep living as they please. Those few are the truly fascinating ones. Much about this planet makes little sense to me and yet, I do not wish to see it fall." At least not to anyone else.

T'Challa has posed:
Black Panther withdraws the rest of his cowl, so his hair and head are left uncovered with the rest of him still suited up. "There must be something Lang was effective in doing. That is good for him." He says this with neutrality in his tone, making it difficult to tell exactly what he thinks of the man. Reading between the lines? That might bring reason to suspect there is a hint of skepticism from the man.

"That is so, and is is not likely there will ever be one centralized form of power, not without massive war and casualties. There are some 200 or so nations that make up the planet. It is not like others where it is all controlled by one government or group. That means there will be some who are stronger than others, some who seek to add to their own strength by taking over other nations that are weaker. This planet does have a uniqueness to it given the fact there are people who act with the intent to defend and protect others from threats both of this world and beyond it. That you, as one from another world, have chosen to assist with that tells me enough."

Maxima has posed:
    "Most planets do not start out that way, but as these nations seek more territory over time unification and stellar expansion seems to become inevitable at which point they either join one of the Stellar Empires or become one themselves. This planet's civilization is young yet. War is inevitable. In any case I have ascertained what I desired to know of this place for now. I am sure our paths will cross again." And with that, a beam fires from a ring on her right hand opening a portal similar to the one she arrived from and unfolding her arms she steps through taking her leave.