C100 Project Pegasus

C100 Project Pegasus

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Peter glanced back at his grandparents, Jason’s eyes filled with wonder and worry as he stood close to Anne, who remained unconscious after her fainting spell. Gently supporting her using the Force, Peter said, "I think it’s best we get her to the base. She'll be more comfortable there."

Jason nodded, still in shock but trusting Peter’s judgment. “Wait?!” He asked, realizing what Peter just said. “What base? You have a base?

“You’ll see soon enough...” Peter just smiled at him before turning to Groot. “You want to fly us back, big guy?”

“I am Groot!” Groot nodded as he turned and walked back to the cockpit.

As they boarded the spaceship, Jason’s gaze wandered, absorbing every detail of the interior, the advanced technology different from anything he’d ever seen before. “Hey,” he turned to Peter and asked excitedly, “Was that a real alien just now?”

Peter smiled at his Grandpa’s enthusiasm, “Yep, his name is Groot and he’s a member of my crew. He’s actually a very rare alien as well. His species is almost completely extinct...”

“Woah...” Jason muttered, shocked and awed by the whole situation.

Soon enough, the ship's engines roared to life, and within moments, they were airborne.

Peter led them to the infirmary filled with comfortable seating and advanced medical equipment. He gently placed his grandmother on a bed, turning to his grandfather, who was still standing, looking lost. “Grandpa, why don’t you take a seat? I’ll be back soon.”

Jason hesitated but finally nodded, sitting down beside Anne, his hand gently stroking her hair. “Take your time, Peter,” he said softly. “We’ll be here.”

Peter left the room, pulling out his datapad as he walked. He needed some space to think, to process what he had recently just learned. ‘I can’t believe Mutants are in this universe too, and the world already knows about them.’ He thought, his mind racing. “This complicates some things...”

Finding a quiet corner, he managed to tap into the cellular network, calling Peggy’s number with his datapad. He didn’t have a phone, but with the technology at his disposal, that wasn’t an issue.

After a few moments, the call connected. Peggy’s voice came through, cautious and curious. “Hello? Who is this?”

Peter smiled, hearing her familiar voice. “It’s Peter. I didn’t plan to call so soon, but I just remembered that we never got to finish our game. You still owe me an answer to a question.”

There was a brief pause, and then Peggy sighed. “Ask away, Peter.”

“Tell me everything you know about mutants,” Peter said, his tone direct.

Peggy’s surprise was evident. “Mutants? Why do you want to know about them?”

Peter chuckled. “I’d answer that, but you’ve already used up all your questions.”

She let out an annoyed yet amused scoff. “Fine. Mutants are individuals born with a mutated gene known as the X-gene that grants them extraordinary abilities. From minor traits like webbed feet to powerful abilities such as controlling the elements. They’re sadly feared and misunderstood by society, which paints them as monsters or threats.”

Peter listened intently, absorbing every word.

“Mutants are generally divided into two main factions,” Peggy continued. “One is led by a mutant named Charles Xavier. He runs a school for gifted youngsters, where he teaches young mutants to control their powers and advocates for peaceful coexistence with humanity. The school is relatively new, but they work closely with the government to foster understanding and acceptance.”

Peter’s curiosity grew. “And the other faction?” He asked, already guessing what it was.

“The Brotherhood of Mutants,” Peggy said, her tone darkening. “Led by a very dangerous mutant named Erik Lehnsherr, who’s taken to calling himself Magneto as he can control metal. The Brotherhood believes in mutant supremacy and is willing to use any means necessary to achieve their goals.”

Peter frowned. “Mutant Nazis, essentially?”

“Unfortunately, yes,” Peggy replied. “It’s a dangerous and delicate situation. Mutants like Xavier try to build bridges, while Magneto and his followers burn them down.”

Peter leaned against the wall, deep in thought. “Why does the government allow Magneto to operate? Can’t they stop him?”

Peggy sighed. “It’s not that simple. Magneto is incredibly powerful, and his followers are devoted. It’s like trying to catch smoke with your hands. The government is cautious, trying to avoid escalating the whole situation...”

Peter nodded, understanding the complexity. “So, mutants are feared, misunderstood, and divided. Sounds like a powder keg ready to explode.”

UppTodated from nô/v/e/lb(i)n.c(o)/m

“Precisely,” Peggy agreed. “It’s a fragile balance, and any wrong move could have catastrophic consequences.”

Peter’s heart ached at their fear. He pulled them both into a tight hug. "I swear, I won't disappear on you. I’m just going to bed..."

Anne and Jason relaxed, their worries easing. "Goodnight, Peter," Anne said softly, tears in her eyes.

"Goodnight, Grandma. Goodnight, Grandpa," Peter replied, his voice warm. He watched as they settled into the room, feeling a deep sense of love and gratitude.

Leaving them to rest, Peter walked down the hall, a mix of emotions swirling within him. The corridors, softly lit with a gentle glow, guided him to his room, where he finally allowed himself to relax.

Closing the door behind him, Peter took a deep breath and moved to his bed. He pulled out the thick file Peggy had given him on Carol Danvers and Project Pegasus, curiosity and determination mingling in his mind. He lay back against his pillows and opened the file, eager to uncover the details within.

The first few pages provided a summary of Project Pegasus, a top-secret government initiative focused on harnessing energy from exotic sources as a fuel for space travel that would theoretically be faster than hyperspeed.

‘Hmm, I should have known Peggy would redact everything mentioning the power sources they were using.’ Peter sighed in annoyance, his curiosity burning. “Whatever, I’m sure I’ll find out sooner or later...”

The project had drawn some of the brightest minds and bravest test pilots, including Carol Danvers.

Peter's eyes skimmed over the technical jargon, focusing instead on the sections about Carol. Her involvement with Project Pegasus was highlighted by her role as an Air Force pilot chosen for test flights.

The file detailed her exceptional skills and fearless attitude, qualities that made her an ideal candidate for such a risky mission.

As he turned the pages, Peter read about the fateful test flight that changed everything. Carol had been piloting an experimental aircraft designed to test the limits of the project's energy source. During the flight, something went horribly wrong. The file mentioned a mysterious energy surge and an explosion that led to her disappearance.

Despite extensive efforts, no trace of Carol was left behind, only the crashed aircraft could be recovered. The official report listed her as missing, presumed dead. Yet, he knew that she was most likely alive and somewhere in the New Kree Empire, which was worrying.

‘I wonder if she’ll crash land on Earth like the movie?’ He hoped she would, as finding her would be much more tedious otherwise.

Hours passed unnoticed as Peter continued to read, his mind racing with thoughts and questions. Finally, as fatigue began to claim him, he closed the file and placed it beside him. He lay back, staring at the ceiling, his thoughts calming as he slowly drifted off to sleep.

————

Meanwhile, Carol Danvers flew through the vast emptiness of space toward the outer rim. The mission from her master, Darth Sidious, echoed in her mind—a relentless mantra she couldn’t ignore. Attack the Trade Federation. They had chosen to align themselves with Darth Plagueis, Sidious' former master, and now they had to be eliminated.

The cold metal of the cockpit controls felt strangely familiar under her gloved hands. Her ship, sleek and menacing, glided through the stars with purpose. Yet, despite the clarity of her mission, something felt amiss. Flashes of unfamiliar memories intruded upon her thoughts—images of a past life, of a different person. A name whispered in her mind...

“Carol...” she murmured, the sound of it foreign yet oddly comforting. Who was Carol? And why did it feel like she knew this name so intimately?

The chip embedded in the back of her head pulsed with an insidious frequency, reminding her of her obedience to Sidious. His commands were law, his will her own. But these memories, these fragments of another existence, they were growing stronger, more persistent.

As she neared her target, a massive Trade Federation fleet, her mind wrestled with these flashes. She saw glimpses of an Air Force pilot, a woman with determination and a fierce spirit. She saw camaraderie, a sense of duty, and... a sense of belonging.

She shook her head, trying to dispel the images. Focus, she told herself. The mission is all that matters.

The Trade Federation ships came into view, their imposing structures blocking out the stars behind them. Carol initiated the attack, her powers surging to life as she flew out of her ship in a blazing fury.

Explosions lit up the void, debris scattering in all directions as she fired blasts of energy at the fleet, her entire body glowing with power.

But then, another memory struck her—this time, more vivid than before. She was standing on Earth, surrounded by friends, drinking in an old bar. The vision was so clear, so real, it took her breath away.

In that split second of distraction, a Trade Federation ship fired back, their laser cannons headed her way. Her eyes widened as she tried to dodge, but she wasn’t fast enough.

“Aaaaggghh!” She screamed, her body rocking violently as a single shot managed to hit its mark, pain searing through her side where a chunk of skin and flesh was missing, blood rushing from her open wound.

Gritting her teeth, Carol fought to remain conscious, her vision blurring from the pain and the conflicting memories. She managed to just barely escape the next volley of cannon fire as she retreated to her ship, away from the immediate danger.

As her ship began to sustain damage and her consciousness started to fade, Carol knew she had to escape. She set the ship to jump into hyperspace, hoping to outrun the pursuing Trade Federation vessels.

Just before her ship incurred catastrophic damage, she managed to initiate the jump. The stars elongated into streaks of light, and her damaged ship shuddered, barely holding together as it shot away.

The last thing she saw before losing consciousness was the swirling vortex of hyperspace. The name echoed in her mind once more, a lifeline amidst the chaos. Carol.

Her ship hurtled through the unknown, its destination uncertain. And as darkness claimed her, one thought remained: Who am I really?

A/N: 2407 words :)