Chapter 19: New Mexico, New Gods, and a Systemic Sneak
The road trip to New Mexico with Aunt May was surprisingly pleasant. She pointed out interesting rock formations, sang along to classic rock on the radio, and generally provided a much-needed dose of normalcy before Adam plunged headfirst into another cosmic crisis.
"It's so vast out here, isn't it, Adam?" May mused, gazing out at the endless desert. "Makes you feel small."
"Small, but potentially very powerful, depending on your cosmic wish-granting system," Adam muttered under his breath.
[DAILY WISH DAYS ACCUMULATION: +1]
They arrived in the tiny town, which had been completely taken over by S.H.I.E.L.D. A massive perimeter, armed guards, and the unmistakable presence of Agent Coulson, looking perpetually exasperated. Mjolnir. The hammer of Thor. Adam could almost feel the cosmic energy radiating from it.
"Alright, System, time for some subtle infiltration. Nothing too flashy. Just enough to get a good look at the big guy."
He saw a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, stern-faced and vigilant, patrolling a section of the perimeter fence.
[WISH GRANTED: S.H.I.E.L.D. AGENT 'SMITH' EXPERIENCES SUDDEN, UNBEARABLE ITCHINESS BEHIND LEFT EAR. COST: 15 WISH DAYS.]
The agent suddenly stopped, his hand shooting up to his ear, scratching furiously. His face contorted in a comical grimace. He was so distracted, he didn't even notice as a small section of the fence, directly in Adam's path, seemed to wobble, and the latch, previously secured, sprang open with a soft click.
[WISH GRANTED: SECURITY FENCE GATE LATCH JAMS OPEN IN A CONVENIENTLY UNNOTICED MANNER. COST: 20 WISH DAYS.]
Adam slipped through, unnoticed. "Fifteen wish days for an itchy ear? Twenty for a sticky latch? This System is a master of petty larceny. I approve."
He found a vantage point, hidden behind some rocks, and observed the scene. Thor, depowered and looking utterly miserable, was trying to lift Mjolnir. He strained, grunted, roared, but the hammer remained stubbornly in place. He looked like a frustrated toddler trying to lift a refrigerator.
Adam snickered. "Oh, Thor. Welcome to Midgard. Where even your mighty hammer is judging you."
Suddenly, a S.H.I.E.L.D. patrol, led by a particularly keen-eyed agent, turned directly towards Adam's hiding spot. "Uh oh. Time for a quick exit. And a very wet one, apparently."
[DANGER DETECTED FOR HOST! INITIATING RANDOMIZED LIFE-SAVING PROTOCOL.]
Before the agent could spot him, a nearby sprinkler system, inexplicably, burst to life. A powerful jet of water erupted, drenching Adam from head to toe. He gasped, spluttering, looking like a drowned rat. The agent, startled by the sudden deluge, paused, then shook his head, muttering about "faulty irrigation."
[HOST SAVED! CURRENT STATUS: SAFELY DRENCHED BY AN UNEXPECTED SPRINKLER BURST, LOOKING LIKE A WET RAT. COST: 30 WISH DAYS.]
Adam shivered, water dripping from his hair. "You know, System, I appreciate the saves, but do they always have to involve me looking like I just lost a fight with a garden hose? My dignity is taking a beating here."
He retreated, soaked but unseen. He had seen enough. Thor was here. The plot was in motion. And he had a very amused Aunt May waiting for him back at the motel.