Indulgence is a practice that obtained negative connotations on my home planet.
Usually associated with individuals or families with means. Except the negativity was usually labeled by the have nots out of jealousy and the need to feel better about themselves and their lot in life.
Here is my take on indulgence. Do it, practice it at every moment you have the opportunity. Eventually when you have lived long enough. This wonderful and fulfilling practice becomes rare.
No, better to say it becomes unique. Unique because you have experienced through your millennia of life exactly what indulgence truly means and you treasure each and every opportunity that crosses your path.
~Musings of an Isekai~
"He would do that for me I am extremely touched."
Hand over heart with dramatic performance.
"Seems like you have picked up sarcasm."
"Not hard, I perused your movie and television database. In my line of work, one needs to know what his demographic considers entertainment."
"So, Ms. Rushman how should we proceed, just provide the information your boss wants. Have you walk out that door. Or do you wish to work for me."
Holding up my hand
"Now before you answer think long and hard. I know your background. I am not claiming that I know you, just that I know most of what has brought you here today. As my personal assistant you will be brought on and given privileged information. What assurances can I be granted that you will keep that knowledge?"
"Will that information be harmful to earth?"
"Oh, most assuredly. Either directly or indirectly. Your own history is riddled with examples of what happens when an advanced culture comes in contact with a primitive culture."
"Is that to encourage me to keep your secrets."
"Oh, I think you misunderstood me, I was sincere its just privileged information. I don't have secrets."
"The real question you need to ask yourself Ms. Rushman, will this information actually help clear the ledger full of red, or add more."
"My ledger as you put it can never be cleared. All I hope to do is add a few positive marks."
Taking a minute to let what she said sit and percolate.
{Sigh}
"Natasha, …"
Allowing myself to reminisce of my own past, and all I still have left to do.
Turning to look straight into her eyes.
"Natasha, in ages past the strongest weapons were created from pools of blood. Is it the weapon's fault how it was created."
"The weapon had zero choice and therefore is innocent."
"The weapon only becomes responsible for its deeds, after it becomes self-aware. Despite what your, and countless other civilizations philosophers have tried to make people believe that white is black, and white as well. "
"The truth is simply a weapon is a weapon and it has only one purpose."
"We are meant to be used, that is our purpose no more, no less. The only peace we are meant to have, is the peace we give others."
Grabbing the last prepared usb. I toss it to Natasha.
"In there are two sets of intelligence."
"First would be a preliminary intelligence that should satisfy Fury."
"The second set is for you. Call it a more comprehensive after-action report for your various missions."
"One thing to keep in mind as any soldier on a battlefield will attest sometimes mercy is needed to end suffering. This act of mercy is never easy on the one performing the service."
"Then sometimes acts of mercy need to take place at a time of convenience, or moment of opportunity."
"Now you have completed your mission given by Fury. You got that information because you understood instinctively what would make me angry."
"Read the information that pertains to you. Then you have a decision to make. I would like to extend to you the position of my personal assistant."
"Though I require a proof of faith on your part. If after reading what is for you and you decide to give Fury, the information I have arranged for him. Then I am sorry you are not suitable for employment."
"If you choose not to give Fury the information. I will know if that information is opened or even copied. Then I would welcome you. I don't make promises, or I should say I won't make you any promises."
"If you do choose to come work for me, I have excellent medical coverage. That includes coverage for 'all' pre-existing conditions. Even as far back as say your pre-teens."
"Wouldn't I betray earth to work for you."
"Why would you ever think that? Do I need you to betray anything. You would have to be able to provide something that I couldn't either obtain for myself, or that I couldn't do myself."
"Fury's little ace in the hole, that is flying out playing in space."
Taking a moment to gesture to space.
"Couldn't stop anything I wanted to do. The 'man on the wall' is just as impotent."
"Odin is to old and weak, and Thor has been grounded literally and figuratively. Hopefully he quits playing in the sand box you call New Mexico and learns to grow up. Just don't count on it."
"Frankly there are at most five entities in the entire multi-verse who could possibly imped anything I choose to do."
"Therefore, my dear, my offer is for other reasons. Your earth is beneath my notice."
"Would I ever learn your reasons."
{Chuckling}
"I am a simple man, with simple indulgences and even simpler ambitions. I have the same desires as any man. And I only have one ambition."
Getting up and walking to her I extend my hand.
"Natasha, I do believe that our time is up. You have information to read and a decision to make."
"I look forward to learning your answer. Until next time we meet, good health."
With that I escorted her to the transport platform and watched her vanish.
"Garrick are you ok?"
"No Crystal I have not been okay since I was turned into a weapon."
"Maybe I might be able to finally put a notch in the positive side of my ledger."
'Not that it matters Natasha might think Black Window is washed in blood. If she only knew she had not even reached level of rookie numbers.'
Looking at my hands pristine and clean amazing how much a sun's plasma can purify.
"Is it your ledger you are thinking about or another notch on your headboard."
"We will see what the future holds."
*Are you having second thoughts Garrick.*
*Wish I could, but Crystal no I am not having second thoughts.*
*I accepted my fate when I destroyed our home universe just so I could have you.*
*And simple math means that at least forty-one more universes will join. Keeping our universe's souls company and serve them in the afterlife.*
*Do you truly believe in an afterlife at least at the level you are talking about?*
*'As above so below'. This premise can also be reversed to be 'As Below, So Above.*
*We know that every universe has a various death realm.*
'Plus, it is not a belief when it is knowledge.'
"Lilith make sure to prepare quarters for Ms. Rushman."
"Father, you believe she will truly work for you."
"Yes, sweetheart I do."
"How? All things point to that you are what she is dedicated to fight against."
"We are a threat to Earth at least from their perspective. Which you have done exactly nothing to alleviate or indicate otherwise."
"Very true, but all is never as it seems."
"Take Natasha's history one would think that she knows the most about the horrors she has done."
"Unfortunately, she is the one who knows the least."
Looking up to the moon.
"Somehow it turns out that every contract the Black Widow did. Prevented an atrocity from happening."
"As if someone wanted to test if the Hitler protocol was possible."
"I have no records about a Hitler protocol. What is this protocol."
"Oh, it's simple, if you had knowledge that Hitler would commit genocide and you had the ability to prevent it. Would you?"
"Most people would say yes of course what he did was horrible. But would you agree with them Lilith."
"I would also concur with that conclusion. Is that the correct answer."
"It means you are a good soul. I for one am proud you came up with that answer also."
"Unfortunately, no one can know if it is correct or not. In fact, that could be the worse decision ever. It is possible that such action leads to the entire destruction of Earth."
"Father, I am sorry I don't understand how that could even feasibly happen. How could saving millions of people lead to the destruction of Earth."
"That's because you are looking at it wrong. You are seeing it from saving millions."
"Which is why I praised you and said you are a good soul."
"Yet, people like me look at it from the perspective of who was saved. It only takes one person to destroy the world."
{Incoming Wormhole Detected}
"Location New Mexico again, four lifeform signatures detected."
"That was fast didn't expect them for another two days or so."
{Second Wormhole Detected}
{Warning, Warning,}
Galactic level energy signature detected.
{Incoming Wormhole Detected}
A total of twenty additional energy signatures detected. Tentative classification universe level.
'Oh, what the hell did Loki send? What could he send?"
"Interesting give me visual."
"There is the Destroyer, that is expected. Hopefully Thor can handle it if not then I guess Odin and Freya will need to get busy again."
"Where are the other players."
"Location was twenty miles away adjusting imaging now."
"Good Girl Lilith"
'What do we have here.'
"Okay I truly want to know how in the hell Loki was able to manage that."
Pointing at the projection.
"There is absolutely no way Loki had the clout to get them."