ystic Asgard sits amid the void of space, a glistening, golden city nestled upon a floating orb in space. Across the rainbow bridge, Bifrost, and through the busy streets of Asgard, in the very heart of the ancient city sits the palace of Odin. Within the palace walls, the all-father of Asgard is meeting with his most trusted advisors and warriors, preparing for a dire challenge that awaits them.

Odin, fully suited in a majestic set of armor and adorned by a flowing golden cape, stands at the edge of a table, surrounded by Balder, Sif, Grand Vizier, Hogun the Grim, Fandral the Dashing, and Volstagg the Voluminous.  

“I must admit, my lord,” Sif comments, looking over at the powerful Odin, “I was most surprised that thou didst call us back here to Asgard in the midst of our search for the accursed world-devourer’s ship.”

“Aye,” Balder remarks, nodding. “’Tis true, particularly with Thor still working on that search.” 

“Thy concern is duly noted,” Odin responds with a calm tone. However, there is such power in his voice that there is always the hint of retaliation if the conversation continues. For his part, Grand Vizier watches intently the course of the conversation, but offers no comments of his own. “However, I hath full faith that my sons—Thor and Loki—are more than capable of accomplishing that task.”

“Thy tone is most grim, my lord,” Sif comments, looking at Odin with concern in her lovely eyes. “What doth transpire here?" 

“Turn thy attention to the waters of wisdom, my children,” Odin responds, as he walks across the room, gesturing towards a small pool of water on the floor. It materializes, showing an image of an army of Asgardian warriors, all on horseback. “Shortly after thou did leave for thy quest,” Odin explains, “a legion of warriors did travel into the nether regions beyond the great wall. ‘'Twas a legion of experienced, seasoned warriors that had many times shown their worth in numerous battles for the realm.”

“Aye,” Fandral remarks, nodding as he gestures towards some of the figures shown in the pool. “Well do I know some of them—Modyr, Klonstagg, and Svorgon! Many are the times that I did drink with them, after a successful military mission.” 

“You speak correctly,” Odin responds, looking over at Fandral. “You did name them correctly, and there were numerous others on that same military mission across the nether regions. They were, in truth, gone for a short period of time. ‘Twas to be a short mission, to determine the status of some of our enemies, on the other side of the wall, and to report back to the realm.”

“Thy grim tone is most unsettling, milord,” Balder remarks, looking with concern at Odin. “What became of their mission?” 

Odin nods, as he gestures again at the pool, which transforms its image. It now shows the warriors all stretched out across the ground, most dead or dying. “Their mission ended in tragedy,” Odin responds. “Nearly the entire legion was struck down by an unseen force.”

Fandral stands up, stunned by the sight that greets his eyes. “’Tis impossible!” he exclaims. “What force could put down some of Asgard’s finest warriors in this manner?!” 

“That is something we must determine,” the Grand Vizier responds. “For, such enmity towards the realm—and such a great force to accompany it—will surely mean a grave threat to the realm eternal.”

End of Interlude

n the other side of the universe, in a rarely-seen sector of space, Thor is even now battling the Collector. The Collector smiles, as he unleashes a series of small probes from his fingertips. “You have gravely erred in interfering with my quest for the ship, Thor,” the Collector warns. “Now, you will perish.”

As the probes approach Thor, there is a series of “clicks”, and the probes develop jagged edges—sharp, jagged razors protruding along their sides. “These probes were discovered on a world called Klintor—a world that takes great pride in its weaponry,” the Collector comments. “Unfortunately, their love for war ultimately led to their virtual demise. However, these probes have made a very welcome addition to my collection of war artifacts.” 

“Thou art a fool,” Thor responds sharply, his hammer’s energy surging out, striking the probes and making them explode a safe distance away, “if you believe that such probes can lay low the god of thunder! While such weaponry may give pause to mortals,” he adds, grabbing a probe in his hand. He then smiles, smashing it, as the jagged razors fall from his hand into the void of space, “…they are useless ‘gainst me.”

Thor then spins his hammer, drawing the remaining probes into the trajectory of the artificial gravity the spinning of his hammer creates. The probes are drawn into the spinning arc. He then reverses his spin, as the probes rocket back towards a stunned Collector. “Let us see if you can say the same!”

The Collector materializes a large gun in his hand, even as the first of the probes strike his clothing, ripping his pants around his shins. He draws out the gun and fires a series of laser blasts at the probes, blowing them up before any more can reach him.

“You are very resourceful, thunderer,” the Collector acknowledges. “It is quite different fighting you alone, than in fighting you with your fellow Avengers.”**** 

[****As he did in Avengers #172.]

“Then let the battle be joined!” Thor proclaims, unleashing the energy in his hammer at his foe, striking him in the mid-section and sending him flying back through space! “I need not hold my hand here, as I must do on Midgard! There are no mortals here that can be harmed by our prolonged combat.”

“That is where you are mistaken, Thor!” the Collector comments, gesturing down to the planet beneath them. “As we fight here, those who had control over Galactus’ ship now go down to continue Galactus’ unholy mission of destruction to that world below.”

“What madness is this?!” Thor exclaims. “Surely, it cannot be true!”

“It is true,” the Collector responds. “You can either continue to fight me, here, or assist those mortals down below. The choice is yours.”