7929/Visitors

Visitors
Date of Scene:	22 September 2021
Location:	Empire Diner
Synopsis:	Meeting late at night, Michael reveals the apperance of one of his countrymen - and sets up a meet between her and SHIELD.
Cast of Characters:	Michael Erickson, Jessica Drew

---

Michael Erickson has posed:
    On yet another night in Chelsea does Michael darken a booth in the gleaming hall of the Empire Diner; this time he's the one who gets there first, and he's the one who calls Jessica to meet him at this ungodly hour. But it's important, he tells her. So. Come on down.

    He sits by the window, looking out at the streets, sipping from an egg cream and a half-finished Reuben on a plate on the table. He looks...well. Grim. As per usual. But also distracted.

Jessica Drew has posed:
Jessica grudgingly roused herself from binging a Korean Historical drama on Netflix to meet Michael. At least, they share a taste for the same type of food. She looms over his booth, checking out what he ordered before sliding into the seat across from him. A waitress is not far behind her.

"Could I have the same please? Oh, and an order of fries." She points to Michael's order. When the server leaves, "What has you riled up, Mr. Erickson?"

Michael Erickson has posed:
    "Mmm." He reaches into his pocket, plucking out the hexagonal metal plug of his silence-generator and puts it on the table, thumbing its activation stud. "So. One of my people have arrived on planet. Nobility."

Jessica Drew has posed:
A big smile spreads across the Agent's face as she intones "'The Cone of Silenceeee'" Biting her lip, "Sorry, sorry, that was a once in a lifetime event. You know I will have to inform SHIELD about this. I wonder if we are going to need a galactic passport control area here soon."

Michael Erickson has posed:
    "That's the whole point," Michael says with a nod; he takes a pull from the egg cream, running a hand through his hand afterward. "She's here for diplomatic reasons, she says, to further the interests of her house - her family's always been no friend of the former Majestor and now they're supporting Majestrix Lilandra." He clears his throat. "I told her that I'd have to tell you all about her. She's up to meet. I've been hired as her security on this planet, for reasons that I'm sure you can understand."

Jessica Drew has posed:
"Security from whom? From others of your people?" Jessica flinches when the server returns with an egg cream and reaches into the area of silence to place it before her.

Michael Erickson has posed:
    "For this particular one." He grunts. "My secret's out, obviously. She came to my home to speak with me. So. As best as I can tell, however, she's genuine, though it's been forty years or so since I've actually talked to one of my people face to face. Definitely a social type - she's spent time in military academies, but we all do in the noble houses." A beat. "It's interesting, nobody actually knows in the Empire why the Fleet came here. Even with the new Majestrix. Then again..."

    Michael looks back out the window. "The shock of knowing the Phal'kon is here probably explains why the Empire isn't letting people know in general. The party line out there is that there were traitors to the Empire here. Which, I suppose, turned out to be a self-fulfilling prophecy."

Jessica Drew has posed:
"Am I following this? Are you protecting her from Jane Grey or from other people in the Empire? Are you under threat if your reputation is known? You or your family? That's what many oligarchies would do - hold a family in hostage to manipulate a subject." She leans forward intent on reading his expression unsure if she will be able to read him.

Michael Erickson has posed:
    "It's a general protection," Michael says, chuckling. "She needs someone to help her out while she's here, and to just do general security. I'm really just the only choice for her." He smiles, something that starts faint but soom turns bitter as he looks back to her. "My family name is blackballed in the Empire, now. My parents have been dead twenty years, Jessica. I'm the only member of the house now, so. It doesn't matter."

Jessica Drew has posed:
"Oh, I am sorry. You've said that before about your parents. I was thinking of extended family. How is she with Earth culture? Will you interpret us to her? I would hate to be outted the way you seem to have been. Blackballed, indeed. Black listed or on the Shi'ar wanted list." She takes a sip of her egg creme which leaves a little mustache on her lip which she promptly wipes away.

Michael Erickson has posed:
    His smile tightens. "Far enough away from the Empire that they won't come hunting, and I suspect the Majestrix would redirect them if they did. That, at least. It's a political liability for her to try and cleanse the name now, right?" Michael gives her a shrug, though the cream mustache makes him laugh just a bit. "She can speak English just fine. And she's suitably moneyed, so there's that. But my social reputation is gone, not that I cared about it these days. This is all perfectly expected. Just, you know. Shitty."

Jessica Drew has posed:
"It could affect her reputation, too, being guarded by someone on "the bad list."" She makes air quotes around her last words. "It sounds like you have the Majestrix on your side. That should whitewash your name, don't you think? Or are you considered to be enough of a liability with your love for the heathens to blacken the Majestrix's name?"

Michael Erickson has posed:
    "The worst the Majestrix did was kick her brother off the throne," he replies with a shrug. "That's expected of the royal family. I, however, was a soldier. Very specific social taboos for the military to turn against the Empire. /And/ as a member of the aristocracy? I'd have better results leading a skalla'tal and hump it in the middle of the Rainbow Square on the Day of Reflection."

Jessica Drew has posed:
"I have no idea what you really just said but I think I get the general idea.The Shi'ar remind me of the Romans in some ways with their ideas of taboo and how the military should behave." Her sandwich is placed in front of her. She picks up a half and nips off an edge. "So you have a security job for a woman from the Shi'ar nobility. Do you enjoy being with someone from your culture after all this time?"

Michael Erickson has posed:
    "The Shi'ar are /absolutely/ very similar to the Romans in many ways," Michael replies with a nod. "I thought that rather startling when I started digging into human history. Sometimes I wonder if there weren't some kind of cultural pollination from past scouts at some point. The Empire's more than old enough."

    That said, Michael reaches for his sandwich. "I've been hired to be a guide and protector, yes. And...mmm. Perhaps not if it were another, but she's a pleasant enough sort. Absolutely with a mind for diplomacy, unlike myself."

Jessica Drew has posed:
"Difficult to imagine. That would explain the Roman eagle, wouldn't it?" She quips then take a big bite of her sandwich. "They know how to make these right here. I like their corned beef. Only one other place in the city makes it this well is Katz, in my opinion. I like to go there for the surly service."

Michael Erickson has posed:
    "It's not unknown, on other worlds." He shrugs, then, clipping another bite from his sandwich. "Scout ships all over the Empire, you know? Anyway. She wants to make her presence known to SHIELD and meet with representatives. I assumed, you know, this would be you. I assume she's here to forge links between her family and people here - but that's all another reason to have her meet with SHIELD basically as soon as she gets there, just in case she's up to no good. I just don't get the feeling that she /is/ up to no good. Yet."

Jessica Drew has posed:
"Do you want me to make the introductons? I'd need to vet her first. How do we know that she is not a Shi'ar Jihadist?" She holds up her sandwich as a shield, anticipating his reaction.

Michael Erickson has posed:
    "We don't, for certain," he replies. "That's why I'm here. As far as I an tell, she seems fine - opportunistic, but fine. As I said, her family is known for supporting the Majestrix. But any meeting should absolutely take place outside of SHIELD property. Perhaps a hotel somewhere."

Jessica Drew has posed:
"Oh, I'm glad you agree. We are rather paranoid in SHIELD. You are new. They might see you as having prepared the way. I hope you understand."

Michael Erickson has posed:
    "I've been a spy for forty-five years," he replies. "I know how to et up a meet." With a wink, Michael puts the sandwich aside. "Right, so. That's the deal. Let me know what your superiors say, and I'll work out the details with you as her intercessor. Client, you know." And with that, the plan is struck! He leans back in his seat, folding his hands against his stomach as he chews and swallows his morsel.

    "So! How about them Yankees?"