by Narrator » Sun Jun 03, 2012 10:09 pm
"Peter," Mantis said, looking back at Star-Lord, "The elevated stress levels in the room indicate that it would be a very good moment for you to skip the ten-minute silent deliberation in the recording"
"Yeah, good call," Peter said, hitting a button so that the voices resumed.
"The circumstances around this incident are quite questionable enough, Agent Brand. As it stands, your organization is the only one on your planet recognized by the Galactic Assemblies, and you have no witnesses that you can vouch fo-"
"Oh, thank you, I was hoping you would bring that up. It just so happens that I do have an agent who was a part of that mess, and is absolutely set on getting answers, one way or another, about what happened. Agent, tell me, in the conversations you've had just in the past two days, how many worlds have you found who are absolutely fed up with the Shi'ar and their constant reactionary bullshit?"
"Thirty-seven."
The voice, naturally, was unmistakeable to most of the long-time X-Men.
"Oh, sorry, did you mean including Shi'ar 'protectorate' worlds? Eighty nine."
"Actually, I meant ones with enough of a starforce to actually do something about it."
"Ones who are sick of them, or ones that just wouldn't mind helping because they think it's the right thing to do."
"Mmm, you're right, I did word that badly. Those too."
"Oh, in that case? One hundred twelve."
"Were you counting the X-Men and the Avengers in your figures there?"
"Mmm, good point. One hundred thirteen."
"Thank you, back to your post. Now, Mr. Chancellor, I assure you that my agent's numbers are correct. And he's being very thorough and very persuasive in his work. Do you remember two years ago, the mess that the Baddoon warlord caused because the Kree Ambassador insulted one of his mates? Well you just killed one of his. And unlike the Baddoon warlord, he can speak in complete sentences, so I want you to think, very hard, just how much trouble I and mine are completely ready, more than willing, and more than able to cause for you if you don't swallow your goddamn pride and give us the information we want."
There was another silence, this time they could hear the muffled voice of the Shi'ar Chancellor talking to someone and covering his comm while he did.