Marvel: The First Son

*In all likelihood, the first significant event should be around November this year, Professor. The event of Ragnarok on Asgard, to be precise.*

'Truly fantastic. Meddling in an end-of-the-world scenario is very much up my alley,' I muttered, perched on the only available space in the Loft—the kitchen island countertop. The room was still bare, save for a few boxes of scavenged tech and the duffel bags of cash I'd liberated from Dilbert Frieddog. 'Now, we need to get the basics out of the way first. Armament, extrasolar mobility, a way to contend with the strength of literal gods, a way to deal with secret societies and governments, leverage against Fury, tremendous amounts of financing, and cheeseburgers.'

*Yes, Professor, the basics... I suggest we begin with the cheeseburgers. You haven't eaten since two days ago, Professor.*

'Wise choice, Cero.' Grabbing my new keys off the countertop and a wad of cash, I made a beeline for the door.

'Anyways, Cero, did you come up with any opposing names?' I asked as I stepped out into the crisp February air.

*Only 732, Professor. But as always, I doubt you'll pick any of them. There exists a 98.79% chance you have already chosen one.*

'Wow, you're smart. I wonder who programmed you. They must be a genius.'

The walk to the nearest Big Belly Burger was surprisingly short. I strolled in, the smell of grease and fries hitting me like a warm hug. "Hey, can I get three cheeseburgers with tomatoes and onions and a large soda?" I asked the cashier, a bored-looking teenager with a name tag that read *Mano*.

"What kinda soda do you want?"

"Coke Zero, no ice."

"That'll be $12.99."

*Professor, we should focus on financing next. It will enable most of the other current goals.*

"Thank you!" I handed over the cash, my mind already racing ahead.

'I agree, Cero. We'll need a clean income source as well as a better understanding of this world's technological standpoint.'

*I suggest we start by establishing a company, Professor. Given the tech dependence of the world at the current point in time, falsifying IRS and government records should be attainable.*

'Mmm, sounds like we need to reestablish the Pantheon Corporation.'

*Registration confirmed, Professor. Though we should also falsify physical documentation soon if we wish to remain under the radar.*

'True, but there's no way to do that without being forced to kill whoever we get to do it. Can't risk any flickers in our direction.'

*Commissioning them en masse could aid obfuscation, Professor.*

'And it would solve the murdering need. However, pickup and payment would require higher effort to distort my identity. Information is more valuable than money, after all.'

"Order 77!" Mano called out, sliding a tray with my food across the counter.

"Thanks, Mano. Give me a straw, would you?"

"Here. Have a good day!"

Unwrapping a burger and going to town immediately, I let out a satisfied groan. 'Cero, remind me to send a thank-you note to whoever invented cheeseburgers.'

*Noted, Professor. Though I doubt they'll respond*

Back at the Loft, I spread out the burgers on the counter and got to work. Cero had already begun the process of establishing the Pantheon Corporation, but we needed more than just digital records. We needed a physical presence—a front that would allow us to operate without drawing too much attention.

'Cero, pull up a list of shell companies we can use to funnel funds into the Pantheon Corporation. We'll need to create a web of subsidiaries to obscure our activities.'

*Understood, Professor. I've identified 12 shell companies that can be acquired or created within the next 48 hours. I've also begun drafting a business plan for Pantheon, focusing on advanced technology and renewable energy. It's a growing market and will provide a legitimate cover for our research.*

'Perfect. Let's also set up a few dummy projects—something flashy but ultimately meaningless. We'll need to attract investors without giving away too much.'

*I've already drafted proposals for a "next-gen solar panel" and a "quantum computing initiative." Both are plausible enough to attract interest but vague enough to avoid scrutiny.*

'Good. Now, let's talk about Ragnarok. If we're going to meddle in the destruction of Asgard, we'll need a way to get there. Any ideas?'

*Extrasolar mobility will require significant resources, Professor. The most straightforward solution would be to acquire or reverse-engineer alien technology. Given the presence of extraterrestrial activity on Earth, this should be feasible.*

'Alien tech, huh? Sounds like a job for Tony Stark. Or maybe Nick Fury. Either way, we'll need to get on their radar—but not too much. We don't want SHIELD breathing down our necks.'

*Agreed, Professor. I suggest we begin by monitoring known alien activity hotspots. The Avengers' files, if we can access them, would also be invaluable.*

'Speaking of the Avengers, we'll need leverage against Fury. Any ideas?'

*Fury's primary concern is global security. If we can position ourselves as an asset—someone who can provide unique solutions to unique problems—we may be able to earn his trust. Alternatively, we could gather compromising information on SHIELD operations.*

'Compromising information it is. Let's start digging into SHIELD's dirty laundry. And while we're at it, let's keep an eye on the Kingpin. I have a feeling he's not going to let that little incident with Dilbert slide.'

*Understood, Professor. I've already begun monitoring Fisk's communications. So far, he seems unaware of your involvement, but that could change quickly.*

'Good. Let's stay one step ahead of him. Now, about those cheeseburgers…

By the end of the week, the Pantheon Corporation was officially a reality. We had a sleek website, a handful of dummy projects, and a growing network of shell companies. Cero had even managed to forge physical documentation, including business licenses and tax records. The Loft was starting to look like a proper base of operations, with a makeshift lab in one corner and a wall of monitors displaying real-time data feeds.

'Cero, how's our funding looking?' I asked, leaning back in my chair.

*We've secured approximately $4.2 million through various channels, Professor. This should be sufficient for initial operations, but we'll need to scale up quickly if we're to achieve our goals.*

'Good. Let's start investing in some real tech. I want to get my hands on anything alien or advanced. And keep an eye out for any auctions or black-market deals.'

*Understood, Professor. I've already flagged a few potential leads. One in particular may be of interest—a private auction in New York next week. The items on offer include several pieces of advanced technology, some of which appear to be of extraterrestrial origin.*

'Perfect. Let's make sure we're there. And Cero...'

*Yes, Professor?*

'Keep an eye out for any cheeseburger-related opportunities. A man's gotta eat.'

*Of course, Professor. I'll add it to the agenda.*

—————-

As the sun set over New York, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. The Pantheon Corporation was just the beginning. With Cero by my side and a world of possibilities ahead, I was ready to take on gods, aliens, and whatever else this universe threw at me.

But first, I needed another cheeseburger.