No longer safe-not return-Coruscant-contact when safe."

Niobe frowned at the broken connection. She shut off the link and ran a hand over her brow trying to dull the ache that had grown throughout her flight. Niobe's mind was in turmoil, crying in pain. The overbearing presence of unknown death suffocating her as she attempted to regain a shred of composure in order to focus on her mission of search and rescue. She hoped to at least save a few if not many.

Niobe pulled up a map, she still hadn't reached the sector Anakin had sent her to. Questions began to buzz through her thoughts, an endless flood of worry for her closest friend. He had seemed so anxious when they had spoken last. Perhaps he wouldn't have been attentive enough, what if he was among the souls that now had a home in the eternal. Niobe searched the force pushing through the grief of her fallen comrades until she found him. Anakin was still alive and despite the torture she felt, her heart stopped in relief at his confident but distorted aura.

Niobe turned back to the controls of her ship deciding to make a hyper-jump in order to reach her destination faster. The sooner she was done the sooner she could return to aide in the battle. As Niobe switched the toggle on it came to a whimpering halt. Upon flipping it again she continued to receive no response. In a blip of frustration, she hit the toggle causing it to bend into an unusual position. The ship jerked, flinging her head back into the hard seat. The light was more blinding then normal, everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. Niobe rubbed her eyes, attempting to push the switchback. This left her watching her ship's rapid approach to a planet with a similar form to her home Naboo.

It took her in as a small pond would a rock. All Niobe could do was brace for the impact. Her R2 unit screeched as the land in their view offered no safe outcomes.

Despite the planets' green image she seemed to be headed for a lot of sand. It was the most bizarre environment but it was not the time to dwell on it. Niobe searched through her thoughts and reached for the force to slow her now flaming ship. While it helped, there remained no promise of retaining her life. Panic rose within her yet somehow a small wave of bliss as well. It was certainly not a battle that would take her as did her brothers and sisters but it would take her.

The impact was undoubtedly painful. If it weren't for the pain she would have guessed she died. Glass splintered her skin, the metal twisted in a hundred directions, and sand buried into her fresh wounds as she hung out of the side window. Niobe was uncertain how long she laid there watching the planets sun fade away. She counted three passings before voices reached her ears. Gentle though they were, Niobe could not stop the screech of pain that left her lips as they pulled her out. A sharp voice and a dark shadow were her last memories before the sweet abyss captured her mind.

OOOOOOOOOO

A gentle hum woke Niobe. The bright light affecting her through closed eyes. The woman's fingers twitched, attempting to regain feeling.

"Think she's Asgardian?" Natasha asked looking down at the strange woman from the observatory

"We will need to contact Thor but I don't think so. We would have heard from him by now." Fury offered, holding his chin in his hand.

"What else could she be?"

"Honestly? Anything."

OOOOOOOOOOO

Days passed as doctors monitored the unknown female. On day five Stark broke into the facility, ranting about human rights. On day six the rest of the avengers found their way inside the facility holding Niobe and began to argue on her behalf.

A few thought she could be dangerous and many thought she should be given a chance before they decided to chain her up.

"She's a living being, similar to humans," Steve said. "She deserves a chance before being locked away."

"Spangles is right," Tony said. "She obviously crash-landed, we may not have been her destination."

Steve and Clint nodded in agreement. Bruce hesitated but kept to himself.

"And should we, just take that chance?" Fury asked.

Natasha remained, both sides made a good argument. She didn't want to take a chance with another Loki. Maria vehemently agreed with her boss.

OOOOOOOOO

On day seven, a scientist lost a hand when he attempted to wield what Stark had deemed a high tech flashlight. After the show of her weapons, one changed sides and decided it was best to keep her locked away. It wasn't until the tenth day that the woman moved.

OOOOOOOOO

When Niobe's eyes fluttered open white filled her vision. Was this eternity? She thought eternity would be different somehow, that she wouldn't hurt so much. Turning her head she smiled at a blurred yet familiar face.

"Master Windu, I am so pleased to see you again. I could hardly believe that your life had been taken. The pain was endless, but to see you now is so warming to my heart." She said rising, ignoring the sharp tugs from her muscles.

As her vision started to return, she realized her error. This man wore an eye patch and maintained a strange style of black clothing. He was not Master Windu.

"My name is Nick Fury, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. we specialize in cases similar to yours."

Niobe's smile faltered and her eyes narrowed.

"So I still live..."

"Yes, you do. Funny how those things work out." He said, pushing Niobe back to her pillow. "I saved your life, now you help me keep my people safe. Who you are and where exactly you're from?"

"I am Niobe, a Jedi Knight. I was not headed in the direction of your planet but my hyperdrive broke and I overshot my intended destination," she said. "I apologize for overstaying my welcome. I will leave immediately."

"And what exactly is a Jedi Knight?" He asked folding his arms across his chest.

"What do you mean? Are you joking with me?" Niobe said with a laugh. "The very people protecting the entire galaxy for hundreds of years and you have no recollection?"

The man adjusted his stance. His frown deepening.

"Not too long ago my plant was being invaded by an alien race we knew nothing about and that all started by one of them landing in a desert here. Now you show up crash landing in a desert in an unidentifiable aircraft with technology that once again we don't understand. So no, I am NOT joking."

"I apologize for my arrogance, I forget my training. However, I fail to understand how your planet could not know who we are. Especially with consideration of the war we are in."

"What war?" Fury said in a steeled tone as he leaned in closer to Niobe.

"What planet am I on?" She asked, her mind completely baffled.

"Earth."

"I have been to many planets and systems but none bear that name."

Niobe felt ice run through her veins. She was lost in an uncharted system. Who could say when she would return to Anakin or her troops? Niobe opened her mind and glanced at the man hovering over her. His thoughts were clouded with hints of fear but an overlaying determination. "I find myself feeling afraid as well, Director Fury."

His scowl deepened at her suggestion and she continued.

"I dearly need to return home."

"Well, on that we both agree. Why don't you tell me what you think might help get you back?"

Niobe sat up, pushing her braids over her shoulder.

"I will require my ship and space to rebuild it. I do not know how long the repairs may take. I was never good with the contraptions, as my near-death experience proves."

Fury gave a sharp nod and turned away.

"Don't worry, you'll have help."