14638/Heavy Metal Dinner Time

Heavy Metal Dinner Time
Date of Scene:	09 April 2023
Location:	Food Court: Triskelion
Synopsis:	Dinnertime at the Trisk leads to two suitjocks from different galaxies meeting up for shop talk.
Cast of Characters:	Michael Erickson, Sybil Tan

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Michael Erickson has posed:
    The food court in a place like the Triskelion is never truly empty, but on a weekend it's pretty quiet, even at dinner time. There, sitting at one of the tables in the center of the common area, a man in a gray suit sits munching on a pile of hamburgers - literally, there's like four - while listening to a positively ancient Walkman at a volume loud enough to be heard in the relative quiet of the evening. Sabaton and sandwiches, this is how Agent Erickson apparent has chosen to spend his evening.

Sybil Tan has posed:
    As no operations are scheduled today, Sybil is in normal clothes instead of her armor. Dark blue jacket over a cream colored blouse and a matching dark blue skirt that ends barely above the knees. Shoes look comfortable though well polished, just a slight heel of maybe an inch. She's carrying a black leather briefcase with her, no purse. Walking over to the Panda Express, she orders, waits for her food, then heads over to the seating area.

    Spotting Michael, she walks over to his table and asks him "Do you mind if I join you? I've actually been meaning to talk to you since I got back."

Michael Erickson has posed:
    Michael has gotten used to people he doesn't know coming over to him at this point, mostly as the curiosity of being a resident (literal) alien - so as Sybil comes up, he snaps off the ancient Walkman and pulls down his headphones so that the thin metal band and its yellow foam earpads wrap his neck like a torc. "All right," he offers gamely, rich baritone voice without accent as he speaks English in reply. "How may I help you?"

Sybil Tan has posed:
    "You probably get this a lot, at least by people with the clearance to look over your file. And I apologize for breaking into your mealtime, but you've been here long enough to know we could be called up at any time, so I have to take the opportunity as it comes up." She speaks quietly, with no accent despite her Asian features.

    Sitting herself down across from him, she introduces herself, "Senior Agent Sybil Tan. Feel free to call me Sybil. I must admit, I'm quite interested in your home. I've been through a number of other dimensions, but none of them had contact with the Shi'ar Empire. I'd like to get some info if you don't mind."

Michael Erickson has posed:
    With a smile that affirms that he does indeed get this often, Michael folds his hands upon the edge of the table (and thus also his tray). "I'm pleased to meet you, Senior Agent," he replies. "I've only just been cleared as a proper agent in kind the other day. Given the situation, the trust your organization has put in me deserves all the answers that I can offer." That said, he moves to pick up one of several bottles of water standing next to the tray. "Please, ask away."

Sybil Tan has posed:
    She nods, "I can imagine you get a lot of attention, yes. We don't have all that many visitors from other planets in SHIELD, though there seems to be a decent number on our world. I understand you were sent her some time ago, do the Shi'ar often place agents into the general population of worlds they encounter, or was there a special reason for your being assigned to us?"

    After asking her question, she begins to eat while waiting for his answer... gotta keep fed, who knows when you'll be sent to some desolate place or other at any given time. That's the fun that comes with joining SHIELD.

Michael Erickson has posed:
    With a pull from his bottle after twisting off his cap, Michael shrugs as he sets it down. "It depends on the situation," he begins, reaching now to unwrap one of the burgers on his tray. "Imperial agents are often placed on other worlds, but usually for very specific, military purposes and for short periods. In my case, I was sent here not to bother Humanity but to keep an eye out on the Kree and whatever nonsense they may be up to out this way. I was a member of the Imperial military; the closest equivalent that I can think of would be the old Soviet GRU. I was a Captain-equivalent, you see, so the assignment had a great deal of importance at the time."

Sybil Tan has posed:
    She nods at his answer, taking a drink before continuing. "It's a bit amazing how long we've had aliens visiting and even living here, yet a mere decade or two ago and a large percentage of the population would probably have said they didn't believe in aliens. A bit shortsighted, if you ask me, especially given that some of those aliens could very well be using this planet as a strategic point." She eats a bit more of her dinner before continuing "It seems you turned an intelligence assignment into a permanent home. What was it about Earth that made you decide to stay here rather then return to the Shi'ar?"

Michael Erickson has posed:
    The smile he gives her now is rather rueful, chewing and swallowing a bite before speaking. "Well that's rather the rub," Michael says. "Because I don't really think they ever intended for me to return. It wasn't ever stated, of course, but all identifying markers were surgically removed, and I was given life-extension treatments to ensure I would be a functional asset for at least a century or two." Now he shrugs, aiming to take another bite. "We were raised to serve the Throne with our lives."

Sybil Tan has posed:
    "Ah, I see. I suppose that is one way to make sure they know what's happening on any planets they have questions or suspicions about. We use deep cover agents sometimes as well, though usually not for the agent's entire life. Still, you seem to have decided to go a different way then your superiors expected. Was there any specific occurrence that made you choose to join us, or was it something that happened over time?" She takes another sip of her drink once she's asked her next question.

Michael Erickson has posed:
    His brows arch a tad at that. "This almost sounds like a security interview," he observes, though his tone is light with amusement. "But it comes down to two things: I don't like bullies, and I realized after some time on this planet what a huge hypocrite that made me since before I was a spy I was a soldier helping conquer planets." He shrugs. "Had a few decades to stew over it. Watched metahumans come to the fore, members of other races arrive. Like the Kryptonian. Made me really think about my life's course. And then..."

    Michael takes another bite, chews, swallows. Gestures a bit with the burger in hand. "They asked me to assassinate a young woman for having the misfortune of being possessed by something my people basically attribute to being the Devil. And I just realized, man, hell with that. And I just gave it all up, right then."

Sybil Tan has posed:
    She chuckles a little, "I am playing the interrogator here a bit, aren't I? Sorry about that. I do tend to be direct when I'm interested in something. Call it a bit of a character flaw, I suppose. If you have any questions in return, please feel free to ask. It would be impolite of me to ask for your life story without being willing to share my experiences as well." She nods when he answers "I can see that being a pivotal moment in your life, yes. Intelligence gathering is one thing, but assassination is something not many can handle."

    She continues to eat between questions, with the occasional sip of her drink.

Michael Erickson has posed:
    "You're misunderstanding me." Michael shrugs one shoulder while taking another bite. "I have killed a /lot/ of people in my time, Senior Agent. I just refused to murder some woman for the crime of existing."    

Sybil Tan has posed:
    Sybil nods, "From what you've said, I assumed that was during your time as a soldier. Rather a different situation than killing someone in cold blood. Either way, I think that you did the right thing. Killing someone for something they have no control over is just wrong. I'm fortunate in that I've never been put in that situation, because I wouldn't do it either." She shakes her head, saying "Well, this conversation has gone a bit morbid. It may be time to change the subject. So let's see... what do you like the most about Earth?"

Michael Erickson has posed:
    "I don't mind morbid," Michael replies with a shrug. "I'm up to my arms in blood, I don't deny it. But if you like..." He considers a moment. "I like the fact that most people look after one another. You humans are like herd animals, looking after each other. Altruism is a magnificent thing. Whereas my people..." He gestures at his face. "We descended from preybirds. Raptors. Not exactly the same instinct, you know."

    Then he nods at her. "And you?"

Sybil Tan has posed:
    Listening to his answer with a slight nodding of the head, she answers "When it happens, it is a wonderful thing. But being part of SHIELD, we see the other side of humanity all too often. Groups like AIM and HYDRA aren't exactly shining beacons of hope, but at least that makes taking their plans and bases down a little more satisfying." Another drink while she considers the rest of her answer, then continues "What do I like most about Earth? At the moment, it's still just being back on it. I've spent the past several years trying to find it among countless alternate dimensions. It wasn't a whole lot of fun, I can't recommend it as an experience anyone would want to try."

Michael Erickson has posed:
    He bobs his head along in agreement. "I have only intimate experience with the Void," he explains. "The primordial zone of entropy. I'm sure you're familiar."

Sybil Tan has posed:
    "Mostly theoretical knowledge, actually. I was moving among different planes of the multiverse, I probably visited twenty or more Earths, and even more assorted planets as I searched for a way home. It did give me the opportunity to incorporate some tech we haven't seen yet into my armor, but the feeling of realizing you may never find your way home isn't a good one." She looks over and meets his gaze, then says, "I imagine you're feeling something like that."

Michael Erickson has posed:
    At this, Michael only chuckles. "When I don my armor," he explains, "My soul goes to hang inside a crystal fruit upon a branch of a black tree in the center of the Void. If ever my armor is destroyed, it will remain there, in perpetuity, until I go insane, wither, and turn to dust." A beat. "So yeah, I get the idea. You said you wear armor?"

Sybil Tan has posed:
    She takes a moment to try and frame her next question, then says "That is a touch unusual, I'd have to say. Your soul literally leaves your body, or is it more in the way of a religious belief? And yes, I built a armored suit with an integrated portal generator in order to have a better chance getting back here, that way I didn't have to rely on finding actual portals between dimensions."

Michael Erickson has posed:
    "Mmm..." He gestures faintly with his burger. "It's more a full-body translation, the machine takes place of my body and vice-versa. But in truth, in a place where stars are screaming fragments and the very plane itself seeks to consume all things, the soul is the thing most immediately at hazard."

    Michael squints thoughtfully. "Built it yourself? That's impressive. Is it powered? Full armature? Or is it an unpowered rig?"

Sybil Tan has posed:
    Sybil becomes a bit more animated as she starts to talk about her baby "It's powered, though less armored than any of the Iron Man suits. Armor plating backed with ballistic cloth, energy field wings allow it to fly. Amusingly enough given your people's origins, it's actually somewhat based on a bird of prey. I have retractable adamantium claws on the feet and where flight feathers would be on the wings are plasma jets for maneuvering or wing attacks. Left gauntlet reconfigures into an energy cannon that can also create dimensional portals.

Michael Erickson has posed:
    "I see." Michael nods along, tucking a fist under his chin. "What about the power source? Do forgive me, powered armor is something I learned to use as a child. I've been an armor jock all my life." He chuckles. "Also it's a bit more pleasant to discuss, I'm sure."

Sybil Tan has posed:
    "It has a small cold fusion generator to provide the power it needs for all the systems. Unless Stark decides to share his Arc Reactor tech someday, that's what it will probably run on for the foreseeable future. Which isn't a huge matter since it has all the power it needs from the generator. I can hit Mach 3 in the atmosphere, and it has enough oxygen to give me three hours in space. I've developed a variant of kickboxing to bring the claws into play when I'm not just doing flybys."

Michael Erickson has posed:
    "Remind me to spar with you someday, then." He chuckles. "I make use of talons and spurs as well when in close combat." Michael's borws lift a tad, then. "Strength enhancement, I assume?"

Sybil Tan has posed:
    Sybil nods, "Low end by hero standards, but it can handle about a ton. Needed to make sure the blades would be able to damage tough enemies, so need the strength behind them. No point in a melee weapon that can't actually hurt the target."

Michael Erickson has posed:
    "Mmmm, true, true." He goes back to his burger, finishing it up with a smack of his lips and moving to unwrap another. "Perhaps you might want to consider powered blades. Adamantium is of course a strong metal to use, but perhaps some molecular-disruption field or even high-frequency resonation setup might work well for your armor's strength level. I assume the fusion unit could power such a thing, given you're making use of dimensional technology."

Sybil Tan has posed:
    "The resonation is actually a very workable idea, and would take only minimal modifications to the suit. Thank you, I hadn't thought of that." She pulls a notepad from an inside pocket of the blazer and starts scribbling equations, then her watch beeps. "Ah, duty calls. It was nice meeting you, we'll have to do that sparring one day soon." She stands and carries her tray over to a garbage can, disposes of the garbage and puts the tray on top, then heads out with a wave.

Michael Erickson has posed:
    He waves in return, duty discharged as local alien oddity and fellow suitjock. Then it's back to burgers...