Alrighty!
This is the PREQUEL to the fic called 'Forgotten'
For those that have read that already, sorry, it's about to be updated as this story moves along.
For those that haven't probably don't read that story any time soon ehehe
As always, Marvel and anything so related does not belong to me...much to my chagrin
oOOo - signifies a change perspective/new paragraph
Chapter 1
The Wakandan Prince set foot over the landscape that spread below him. It was mountainous and rugged, covered with thick vegetation that left barely enough room for a wild cat to roam amongst it.
He would, however, be hiking through the forest with 2 of his toughest Dora Milaje. He had heard rumour that the person he currently sought was residing within a mountain village closest to the summit of the mountain before him. The village, which was said to be one of the few still practicing witch doctoring, also had rumour of having its own protector.
He had received Intel of a local drug cartel that wished to farm its drugs in the region due to its remote locality and rich soil, utilising the village as both farmers and mules, but there was stories told of the drug cartels 'intimidators' being sent back either permanently injured or near dead.
The story, while interesting, seemed to fall in line with other stories he had been following in recent years across the globe. From the thwarted kidnap attempt of school girls in Africa, to rescuing allied nation troops and aid workers in the Middle East, the description was all the same. A dark haired woman, with speed that made her almost impossible to hit, strength greater than any normal man and skills with twin swords.
Nakia looked up the mountain path, before glancing sideways at T'Challa. "Sire, are you sure?"
"We will soon find out," he answered, moving to the path. Nakia fell in behind him while Okoye moved to walk before him, using a machete to clear the path.
It took them three days and nights of trekking and rough nights camping on the mountain path before they began to see signs of life. T'Challa noticed several fresh tracks, leading away from them. They appeared to be children's tracks, with an adult close by.
"It appears someone is tracking us, sire," Okoye murmured, moving closer to the Prince. He glanced over his shoulder, looking to the direction she was watching, trying to make out any definitive shape amongst the trees, unsuccessfully.
"Do not engage them," T'Challa warned, continuing on his way. He had a feeling he knew who it was.
As they approached the village, a group of men awaited them. They were dressed in basic clothing that had clearly been mended several times. And they were all holding spears.
A squat man at the head of the group stepped forward. "Who are you? Why have you come?"
T'Challa stepped before Nakia, who was standing defensively before him as the man had stepped forward. He raised his hands to show he meant no harm. "My name is T'Challa, I have travelled far in search of the protector of your village."
The men glanced sideways at each other, but their leader frowned. "I am the protector of this village, what do you want?"
T'Challa frowned, from the body language of the leader's men, it was clear that they knew who he was talking about and it was not the man that stood before him.
"I apologise, sir, I seek the one they call Banzai." There were murmurs behind the leader, causing him to turn and look at his men severely.
He turned back to T'Challa. "Banzai is nothing but the name of a legend, a legend created to keep our village safe from outsiders who would mean us harm."
T'Challa saw Nakia look to Okoye and frown, clearly they thought the leader was clutching at straws. T'Challa thought quickly. "This story intrigues me, might I learn more of this legend?"
The villagers looked at each other in surprise, obviously they had not experienced inquisitive visitors such as them. A man stepped forward to the leader and whispered something in their own language in his ear. He nodded once, before stepping sideways. "Come, T'Challa, it would be best for you to speak to our witch doctor."
The men parted, the leader walking through them, T'Challa quick to follow while his two Dora Milaje trailed cautiously behind him, followed by the rest of the villagers.
They were led through the village. Children and women stared at them as they passed by, some women grabbing their children and holding them closer, warily. T'Challa could see in their eyes, they were fearful of these strangers, and wary. Those eyes had seen threats before.
They were led to a small hut in the centre of the village that was decorated with colourful feathers and animal hides. The village leader motioned for T'Challa to wait and entered the hut, before returning soon after. He motioned for T'Challa to enter.
He strode inside, with his two Dora Milaje close behind, their hands close to their weapons. It was dimly lit inside and smelt strongly of a multitude of incense, with a small fire burning in the centre, it's white smoke disappearing through a small hole in the roof.
"Welcome visitors," a husky voice said from a corner of the hut. All three spun around, on their guard. A small, elderly woman stepped out from the corner. She was wearing a shaggy animal fur, had white hair and her face showed many scars. She also wore red and white ochre paint on her face with colourful feathers entangled in her hair. "You fear me?"
T'Challa motioned for his two female soldiers to relax their hands from their weapons before stepping before the woman. "My apologies, we were not sure what to expect."
The woman narrowed her eyes, before shrugging. "I am told you wish to know of our legends?"
"Not just any legend, one in particular," T'Challa answered, watching as the woman hobbled away. "I seek the one known as Banzai."
He heard the woman scoff and laugh. He glanced at his two Dora, who furrowed their brows, concerned at the witch doctor's reaction. They had travelled far with him, hearing recounts of the one known only as Banzai. They sounded more and more unbelievable every time.
T'Challa often doubted whether this was a good idea. His Dora Milaje were traditionally to be his wives-in-training. He had no intention of marrying any of them, but they were his guards and it was expected of him to take one with him on his travels by his father.
It was his plan to find the one known as Banzai, and convince her to become part of the Dora Milaje. The story of the woman fascinated him. He had told his father he was only looking to become accustomed with the world. But his journey had been far more than that.
He hadn't told his existing Dora Milaje his entire plans. He felt that Nakia, in particular, had a jealous streak. Okoye seemed very much indifferent, happy to be honoured with being chosen to serve as Dora Milaje, but still kept his plans to himself.
"Banzai was a story created to protect the village from outsiders that might mean us harm," the witch doctor said, before sitting on a cushion before the fire. She motioned for T'Challa to sit across from her, which he did. "The legend of Banzai tells of a young woman, given to the world as a gift from the gods, to right the wrongs against the people by evil spirits. She goes where she is needed, never staying longer than necessary. She is said to be blessed with speed, agility, strength and beauty unlike any mortal being."
"This gift from the gods," Nakia said, a slight sneer appearing on her face. "She sounds as if she is too scared to show herself to the world." T'Challa glared at Nakia.
"Indeed," the witch doctor replied, a cunning smile appearing on her face as she looked up at Nakia. "Because she knows the nature of man. She knows that the world of man would seek to use her as a weapon for their own purposes. That is not something the gods would wish."
"So Banzai, does not exist?" Okoye asked, looking from the witch doctor to T'Challa, with a raised eyebrow.
"She is but a legend to protect us," the witch doctor said, the slightest tone of amusement in her voice. "She has done well until this point."
T'Challa chewed the inside of his cheek, he still doubted the truth of the tale spun by the witch doctor, but it would seem they would get no answer from the villagers of the truth surrounding the one known as Banzai.
oOOo
The witch doctor was about to speak again when one of the village men came running into the hut, looking alarmed. He spoke to the witch doctor in their native tongue, before exiting quickly.
"What is it?" Nakia demanded, placing a hand on her weapon, a wary expression on her face as she glanced at T'Challa. He raised a hand, motioning for her to remain calm.
"We have had problems with organisations from the capitals of surrounding nations. Quickly, we must hide you," she hissed, motioning for them to follow her.
"We are warriors, we do not hide," Okoye stated plainly, unmoving.
"I'm sure you are, but these men carry weapons that shoot metal rocks that burn and destroy flesh with the greatest of ease," the witch doctor retorted crankily, as she motioned for them to follow her.
"I apologise, but we will not hide. We will help your men," T'Challa said, standing and moving to the door.
He opened the door and found the men of the village were gathered before the hut, their spears raised and ready.
"What are you doing?" the village leader hissed, turning to see them. The other village men looked from one another to T'Challa with concern and fear in their eyes.
"We will assist you," T'Challa answered simply, moving to stand before them.
"We do not need your help, stranger," he retorted as Nakia and Okoye moved to stand behind their Prince, weapons drawn and ready.
The other men eyed them and their weapons nervously, but before more could be said, several armed men appeared in the distance, running up the hill. There had to be at least 20 men.
T'Challa was currently unarmed, although he wore his armour beneath his normal clothing. He looked to one of the villagers beside him, who held a spear and a spare strapped to his back. He held out a hand, motioning to the spear in his hand. "May I?"
The villager looked to his leader, who frowned but shrugged, before he handed it to T'Challa. It was a good enough spear, the balance slightly off at the tip. He took his aim carefully, before hoisting it over his shoulder, bringing it back so the point was by his head and thrusting it forward.
It flew from his hand, soaring through the air silently, before embedding itself into a man who appeared to be carrying the largest weapon. The man fell backwards, landing in a heap further back down the pathway into the vllage.
"A good shot, sire," Nakia praised, while Okoye smirked smugly, showing her own pleasure at her Prince's aim silently.
The men that ran towards them faltered, looking at their fallen comrade, who clawed at the ground as he tried to get up. It was no use though. The men turned, raising their rifles and began to fire.
"Take cover!" Okoye shouted to the villagers that stood behind them. They scattered, a few falling as they ran. Nakia threw one of her two Vibranium rings, it whistled as it slipped through the air, before it sliced through several of the weapons carried by the hostile men.
The men stared at their weapons as Okoye caught her comrades weapon as it flew past her, before tossing it back to her. The men stared at the two women who now faced them. Both wore armour, each a different colour, although Okoye looked far more fierce than Nakia, with her shaved head and more intimidating build and height.
Okoye carried a spear as well as a blade for back up, she often left the initial attack to Nakia with her rings just so she could keep her weapon close at hand. Hand to hand was her specialty.
The men finally gathered their wits and ran at the two women and Wakandan Prince who stood before them, those with operational weapons still, firing at them, while those without, pulled out large machetes and ran towards the villagers.
T'Challa and his Dora Milaje quickly moved to cover, although they all wore armour, it was not full bodied and completely impenetrable. T'Challa looked up and saw the village men trying to fend off the intruders.
"We must protect the villagers, Nakia, can you unarm these men of their guns. Even the field," T'Challa ordered, looking back to the smaller of his bodyguards.
"My pleasure, sire." She peered around the corner of the hut they were taking cover behind, before throwing her rings one after the other. Within moments there were shouts of either pain or surprise.
"Allow me," Okoye said with a smirk as Nakia was about to run out and retrieve her weapons.
"Don't be such a hog," Nakia muttered in annoyance as Okoye ran out before her, quick to follow. T'Challa took their distraction as an opportunity to run to the village men, beginning to defend them as best he could while carrying no weapon of his own.
He ducked and weaved as a hostile man swung at him with his machete, before quickly disarming him and then disabling him quickly.
He saw the village leader being attacked by two men and quickly moved to assist him. He ran forward, disarming one before blocking the attack of another. As he blocked the attack, the injured villager shouted something in his native tongue, pointing behind T'Challa.
T'Challa turned, to see a rather burly man hoisting an extremely large axe above his head and was about to bring it down upon him. He brought his arms up to try and offer himself some protection, crossing them before him, confident the armour he wore beneath would prevent any real damage, ducking his head.
oOOo
As he waited for the impact of the blow, he was surprised to see a dark shadow cross in front of him, with a clang of metal meeting metal.
He looked up, to find a svelte figure that he could have easily confused for one of his Dora Milaje, if had not been for the long black hair that was pulled back into a high ponytail or the tanned skin that was several shades lighter than that of his wives-in-training.
"Banzai!" he heard the village leader exclaim in surprise.
T'Challa lowered his arms, staring at the woman before him. She held her swords crossed before her, holding the hostile man's axe at bay, before sliding one sword out from beneath his axe and slashing it across his chest, causing him to pull back in pain, she then used her now loose second sword and slashed him across his thighs.
As he fell back, she turned back to look at T'Challa and he was taken aback by her eyes. They shone a golden-brown, and as she narrowed her eyes at him, he felt as if she gained an animalistic aura.
He had no time to think about it, as they were attacked again, his Dora Milaje joining them. T'Challa saw Banzai throw a sword, embedding it deep into a man's chest, before running forward, pulling the sword from his chest before he had even hit the ground and using it to block another attack.
They made short work of the intruders, those that could leave with their lives doing so with haste. T'Challa soon turned his attention to the woman, Banzai, as she strode over to the village leader, kneeling down to see to his wounds with the witch doctor, who had now emerged from her hut.
"You are the one they call Banzai?" he asked, moving to stand behind her, his two bodyguards falling in behind him quickly.
She didn't respond, instead working fastidiously to assist the witch doctor.
"My Prince speaks to you!" Nakia growled, moving to step before him, only to be stopped by a hand from T'Challa.
"He may be your Prince, but he does not command me," Banzai replied to the Dora bodyguard, without looking up. Her voice was even and calm, her Australian accent subtle. She glanced over her shoulder, looking at T'Challa and then her gaze sliding to first Nakia and then Okoye. "What do you want?"
"I seek your skills," T'Challa responded quickly. "Many stories have been told across many continents of your skills and abilities, I wished to see them for myself."
The woman sighed, handing a bandage she held in her hand to another of the villagers, before standing and looking at T'Challa, her face portrayed her annoyance. "Don't beat about the bush, you want something of me, what is it?"
T'Challa gave a small smile. He motioned for them to walk. She narrowed her eyes, but began walking slowly. Nakia moved to go with them, but T'Challa stopped her. "Assist with the treatment of the villagers."
"But sire -" she began to object. He looked at her pointedly and she withdrew, bowing her head slightly. As she turned to walk away, even he could not miss the deathly glare she gave to the Australian woman's back. Okoye followed her, without so much as a word or a backward glance.
oOOo
T'Challa walked alongside Banzai, who walked with a distance between them, clearly on guard of him. She wore a simple set of well-worn, black fatigues, her two swords strapped to her back in a cross shape. "You have amazing skills and abilities, greater than any woman I've ever seen."
"Compliments will get you nowhere, what do you want, T'Challa, son of T'Chaka and Crown Prince of Wakanda?"
T'Challa was taken aback by her apparent knowledge of him. He quickly composed himself, stopping to look at her. "I would like you to join me in protecting my country. We are a small nation, but we have resources that others would seek to gain control of, and I cannot allow that."
"Are your current militaries and Black Panther that incapable?" she asked bluntly, narrowing her golden-brown eyes at him. He furrowed his brow, her knowledge of his home and its forces concerning him for a moment.
"I see you have much knowledge of Wakanda?"
"I like to know who is trying to track me," she retorted, beginning to walk again.
He stared at her retreating back for a moment, before hurrying to catch up to her. "Wait, you knew?"
"You may be a prince, but tracking is my specialty, and I have my own sources of Intel." She stopped again, looking at him severely. "Speak plainly, what do you want from me, T'Challa."
He sighed, thinking carefully of his words before answering. "I want you to join my personal guard."
Her eyes narrowed to a deathly glare, which had T'Challa falter slightly. "The Dora Milaje are your wives-in-training and hold an honoured position, bringing great honour to their tribes while also offering protection to the future king." He was stunned, once again, at her knowledge of his tribes traditions. "I refuse to be part of such a thing."
"I have no plans to marry any of the Dora Milaje, if you must know," he replied dully, looking away. It was a stupid tradition, one he would have been glad to be rid of, if he could.
When he looked back to her, she had her head cocked to one side, as if analysing him, her eyes softer than before as she considered him. "Do they know that?"
He bit his lip, looking to the ground for the moment. He had not told anyone, because he knew it would be met with contempt from all of those around him. He tried to keep his distance from all the members of the Dora Milaje, giving them equal attention so none would feel slighted.
Of all of them, Nakia had the most obvious jealous streak, and Okoye was the most indifferent to him, happy to protect him in whatever way he needed.
He looked back at Banzai to see her looking sympathetic, although it was fleeting, her severe look quickly returning to her face. "I cannot join you, I have business to finish, to ensure the safety of this village."
T'Challa frowned, looking past her to the village. He wondered why she was so intent on protecting the village, there were many other small and primitive villages like it throughout the world. He looked back to her, to see her looking back to the village herself. The look in her eye showed him one thing. Regret. For whatever reason, she felt the need to protect the village due to regret.
"Very well, then allow us to help you," he replied firmly, before beginning to walk back towards the village.
"Wait, what?" she exclaimed as he pushed past her.
"We will help you," he said as she leapt in front of him to stop him in his tracks.
"No way, this is my task," she argued, putting a hand to his chest to stop him.
"Surely a second set of hands make for light work," T'Challa reasoned with a raised eyebrow as he looked down at her hand. She quickly withdrew it upon realising, as if the contact with him burned.
"Sure, a second might, but if I'm not mistaken you've got another two sets over there that go where you do," she retorted, motioning to the two Dora Milaje who were waiting patiently in the village.
T'Challa could see Nakia was fuming that Banzai had the nerve to lay a hand on him, but it would seem Okoye had told her to refrain from intervening, by the way she stood before the shorter guard.
"They go where I tell them to. If I wish them to return without me because I am under the care of my new guard, they shall not argue," he explained, folding his arms in front him and giving her look of expectation. "Banzai-"
She pursed her lips in a thin line, gritting her teeth, before she rubbed her temples in frustration. "T'Challa, you aren't going to let this go, are you?"
"Do you know how many years I have been tracking you?"
"I'm well aware," she said with a sigh. She turned and looked back to the village again. "And it's Vielka. Corporal Vielka Patterson. And I can tell you already, Nakia doesn't like me."
He grimaced slightly, he was well aware that bringing Vielka into the Dora Milaje was going to bring forth a whole new set of problems, but he also knew her skills would prove to be a great asset. "She will learn to respect your position."
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the Dora Milaje reserved for those of the 80 odd tribes within Wakanda?" she asked as she slowly started making her way back to the village, her eyes not leaving his two guards who waited ahead.
"Once upon a time. A lot of the tribes have since folded or merged as our nation advances, the Dora Milaje numbers now dwindle to a handful," he looked to Okoye and Nakia, a sense of pride as they stood tall upon their approach. "Okoye and Nakia are my two fiercest Dora."
"I don't doubt that," she replied as they stopped before them. T'Challa noted that Nakia still held daggers within her eyes at the Australian woman. "I need to prepare and speak to Adami."
oOOo
Vielka moved through the low hut, the men of the village that had been injured were being tended to by the women. They all bowed to her slightly as she shuffled through, seeking the feathered head of the witch doctor.
She soon found her at the back of the hut, bent over the village leader. "Adami, it's time for me to leave."
"Is this because of that man?" she asked, peering up at her through her tousled hair, her wise brown eyes showing no hint of surprise at Vielka's words.
"Partly, but I'm going to solve your problem with the cartel once and for all," Vielka replied, looking down at the village leader's injuries.
"Will you not return to us?"
"Not any time soon."
Adami frowned, but stood, opening her arms to the taller woman.
oOOo
T'Challa and Vielka were soon traipsing through the streets of Paraguay, they dodged the vendors who called out to them, or the men who tried to grab Vielka, drawn by her looks that were exotic to them.
They soon sidled into a bar, finding a small table in the back, away from the regular patrons. She smoothed out the khaki shirt she wore over her usual fatigues, her hair loose and flowing down around her face, repositioning herself slightly and careful to keep her swords well hidden.
"Is your Intel strong?"
"It seemed pretty strong as I was cutting off his finger," she murmured in reply as a bartender approached. T'Challa raised an eyebrow as she placed an order in the native tongue, debating to himself whether or not she was being honest or joking.
"You don't take any prisoners, do you?" T'Challa whispered as he eyed the other patrons of the bar. There were many different types there, from the regular man who was stopping in after work, to the dodgier looking men who glared at the strangers.
"On the contrary, much like your wives-in-training, I prefer to maim. Rarely does death come by my blade anymore."
Once again, she surprised him by her knowledge of Wakanda's customs. The bar tender returned with their order, before disappearing back to the bar.
They sat quietly, just watching their surrounds, before Vielka sat forward, her eyes unmoving. "There..."
T'Challa turned to see where she looked, to see a heavily tattooed man with a shaved head. A distinctive tattoo on his shoulder that T'Challa recognised as a gang tattoo. "I see."
"Now, if only we could get him to lead us home," she murmured, watching as he left. They were both quick to their feet, following the man from the bar.
The streets were beginning to quieten as they silently followed their target. He lead them to a large house with heavy gates and high walls all around it.
"Why would a man, such as he, be coming to a residence, such as this?" T'Challa wondered aloud. He turned to see Vielka stripping off her khaki shirt, tightening the swords at her back and retying her ponytail.
"Why don't we go and ask him?"
Before he could say anything, she had dashed across the road as the night sky darkened above them. She was silent as she disappeared into bushes by the high brick walls. T'Challa was quick to strip from his own khaki shirt, to reveal his black armour beneath. He quickly joined Vielka, where she was watching a camera that swung overhead, as if analysing it.
"Should we disengage it?" he whispered, but she held up a finger, before jumping to a nearby tree and then onto the wall. He watched as she quickly fidgeted with the camera before waving down to him.
He quickly followed her path, joining her on top of the wall, before they both dropped down to the shadows.
They skulked through the shadows, occasionally disarming and disabling guards as they went. As she had said, she was careful only to maim anyone she crossed paths with, never striking a lethal blow.
Within half an hour of their initial entry onto the property, they had made it upstairs. Not a single shot had yet been fired at them, as they had the element of surprise. Vielka stood poised at a door, listening. She narrowed her eyes slightly, before slowly opening the door.
T'Challa silently followed her in, she had her swords drawn as she crept towards the bed. He could see several forms asleep in the large bed, both freezing as one of the forms stirred.
Vielka moved to one side of the bed, as T'Challa moved to the other, knife in hand.
Vielka held one sword at the ready, while with the other hand, she tapped the base of a lamp on the bedside closest to her, flooding the room with a dim light. The occupants of the bed all stirred, looking around groggily.
T'Challa was disgusted to see an older man in bed with not one, but five women, all naked.
"What is the meaning of this?" The man demanded, reaching for one of his pillows. Vielka was quick to smack his hand with the side of her blade, looking at him pointedly as he withdrew his hand in shock, the five women all shied away in fear, trying to cover themselves with the blankets and sheets. Vielka slid her sword under the pillow, knocking a hand gun to the floor.
"Mr Guiterrez, isn't it?" Vielka asked, cocking her head to one side, a questioning look on her face.
"Who are you? What is this?" he demanded, looking from her to T'Challa.
"Courtesy call, from the Aché," she stated plainly, she looked to the women, before motioning towards the door with her head. "I think you should consider your service rendered, ladies. Go on."
The women quickly ran from the room without a backwards glance. T'Challa looked back to the man, Vielka now had her sword at his neck. "Up you get, champ."
"Who do you think you are?" he demanded, but she pushed her sword against his neck a little tighter, and he was quick to oblige to her request.
T'Challa moved from the side of the bed to follow her as she led him to the balcony window. She kicked open the door, ushering Mr Guiterrez outside.
"Not cold, I hope?" she said as she forced him outside. T'Challa did his best not to smirk, clearly he was.
"Who are you, what do you want?" he began to shout loudly, but no one was going to come for him. They had made sure that no one would hear, or be able to assist.
"Oh, you should know who I am, I sent many messages, but apparently you ignored them all. So I came to deliver the message personally," she said, removing the sword from his throat. Then, to T'Challa's shock, she bent down quickly, grabbing Mr Guiterraz by one of his ankles and hoisting him over the railing of the balcony.
"No! Wait!" T'Challa exclaimed, moving forward. Vielka held her sword pointed at him, giving him a warning look, before looking back to the man she now dangled over the railing. To T'Challa's amazement, she seemed to hold him easily.
"Please, please! Pull me in!"
"What? You want me to do something for you? That's not like when I asked you to leave the village of Aché alone, is it?" She called down to him.
"What?" Mr Guiterraz exclaimed, arms flailing below him as he swung precariously.
"I asked you several times, I sent your men back, one after the other with a message, leave Aché alone, did you listen?" Vielka hissed. She then glanced at T'Challa, grinning malevolently. "Oh my," she said, feigning a yawn. "I'm getting awfully tired." She lowered the man slightly, causing him to panic further.
"Wait! Yes! I got the message! I will leave Aché alone! Please! Stop her! Pull me up!"
Vielka wrinkled her nose slightly, before lifting him back over the railing easily. She dumped him onto the balcony unceremoniously, before crouching to glare into his eyes.
"If I find out you or your men have set foot inside Aché again, I will be back, and you will never forget the name Banzai. Understand?" she whispered in a deathly quiet voice that gave even T'Challa goosebumps.
"Yes! Yes!" The fat man sobbed.
oOOo
Several days later, T'Challa escorted Vielka to a private plane that awaited them at a small airport. Her face was sullen as he turned to allow her to board before him. She wore her black fatigues, her swords carried in her hands and with only a large pack of her gear.
"It will be a 14 hour flight today, sire," the air hostess said, as he was seated across from her.
"As expected, has my father been notified of my return?" He asked as the pilot offered to secure Vielka's swords, to which she bluntly refused.
"He has," the hostess replied slowly. "He does not seem pleased, sire."
"As I expected."
He saw Vielka narrow her eyes at his response, before she nonchalantly turned to look out the window of the air craft.
They had been flying for a couple of hours when Vielka finally spoke to him, taking his attention from the laptop he was currently tapping away on. "So, I take it you hadn't spoken to your father of your endeavours?"
"Not exactly," T'Challa answered after hesitating for a moment, considering her as she pursed her lips together. "Does this concern you?"
"I don't want to be anywhere I'm not wanted, there are others out there who might welcome my presence better," she replied stiffly, looking back out the window. T'Challa pursed his lips. He would convince his father one way or another that Vielka was indeed a necessary addition to his guard.
While he considered her for a moment, he thought perhaps he should try to pry some more information from her. "I'm curious, as to how you came to be of such an amazing skill set?"
She turned to look at him slowly, her golden-brown eyes seeming to pierce through his skull with a deathly glare. "You expect me to believe you don't already know most of that?"
T'Challa pursed his lips. He did know most of the story, but there were many gaps to his Intel. "I am aware of your service to the Australian military, and to your current listing of MIA. I am not aware of how it is you came to be, I'm afraid."
She blinked, but her gaze never left his. "Let's keep it that way."
He chewed the inside of his cheek as she turned back to look out the window, considering if this was indeed, a wise decision after all.
xo
Krayzee
