Hello everyone,
Here is chapter 55, enjoy.
January 11th, 2017
Casino Night Club
On entering the main room of the Casino the group found themselves on the upper level looking down on the gambling tables. Once told to split up, Kat immediately split off from the group going the opposite way to Okoye. Meanwhile T'Challa and Nakia walked arm in arm down the staircase onto the ground floor. For Kat she looked like a rich local blending in better than her companions as she moved seamlessly around the opposite end of the upper level. Discretely she looked across to Okoye who judging by the General's thoughts hated the wig she was wearing. 'Damn scratchy thing.' Kat refrained from smiling as she nodded to one of the security guards that noticed her. Meanwhile she could hear the conversations going on in her ear piece.
"The woman outside that has turned out to be a Shadow Network agent. What trouble was she referring to?" T'Challa asked as the pair descended the steps.
"Ah... I got into a disagreement with some Ivory traders. Made a bit of a mess." Nakia replied and Kat chuckled. "I did not know she was an Shadow Network agent though."
"They are a well hidden bunch. Often she and others go unnoticed. She was probably out intelligence gathering when you met her. Often it is how some agents disrupt illegal operations." Kat replied via the device as she pretended to admire some artwork on the wall. Then moved on moving towards the balcony once again overlooking the casino. She easily spotted Everett Ross and carefully looked away to avoid being noticed. Meanwhile in her ear T'Challa and Nakia continued their banter.
"Hmm and will there by any trouble tonight? Miss Kenya heiress?"
"Depends... on how quickly we finish the mission." Nakia said separating from T'Challa.
"Can we please focus? Thank you." Okoye spoke tired of the banter already
"But I am sensing a story here..." Kat teased as she took a wine glass off a tray a server offered her.
"Story time can wait." Okoye pointed out.
"Spoilsport." Kat replied taking a drink as she moved around. T'Challa moved to one of the casino tables, while Nakia went to the bar and ordered a whiskey. Normally Kat would have minded her own business but Nakia looked tense and her surface thoughts were hard to block out. 'I need three or four of these.' Yep obviously she and T'Challa had history and she wanted the mission over with. However at least the young woman had her head in the game as she broke the silence.
"Eyes up. Americans. I count three."
"Five. How could you miss grease lightning there behind you?" Okoye asked, Kat could answer that but she decided to hold her tongue. Instead she peaked around taking stock of all the Americans in the room. No sooner was she going to point out where Everett Ross was T'Challa beat her to it.
"Six. I just spotted the old friend Kat mentioned who works for the CIA. It just got a little more complicated."
"I'm surprised you all didn't spot Bilbo Baggins sooner." Kat added, "I've been watching him since we entered." Already T'Challa moved to join him at the gambling table since Ross had already spotted him. The two began talking as they pretended to be gambling. Kat sipped her drink as she pretended to be interested in the décor. However she was careful to avoid the American agents scattered about. A moment later Kat received an text alert from Yuma. 'Surveillance outside shows douche-bags arrival.'
Sending a quick thanks, Kat put her phone away. "The guest of honour has arrived."
No sooner did she say that they were all taking peeks at the door to see Klaue arrive and was looking down on the casino. "Klaue plus eight."
"General." T'Challa said.
"In position to secure our exit." Okoye replied, Kat looked to one of the security sending the mental message if the shooting starts to get the bystanders out first then they were free to make examples of Klaue's men. The guard was a bit surprised, but hid it well as he merely nodded and then spoke into his ear piece.
"And the Vibrainium?" T'Challa asked as Kat noticed Nakia now moving from the bar.
"I don't see it yet."
"I thought there were no weapons allowed in here." Okoye added.
"There are not suppose to be." Nakia replied.
"Somebody did not get the memo." Okoye said looking around warily. Kat looked at where Okoye was and saw the additional guards. "Definitely armed."
"Relax general the men in nice suits... that is the security. As for Kaue's men, the Shadow network are merely tolerating them. Most of these men will not be leaving this room alive if they start a firefight." Kat said as she moved along the balcony while Klaue began talking to Ross. However Nakia discovered late additions to the party as she leaned against a casino table.
"Six more. It's a set-up."
"Either that or they are here to ensure security does not interfere." Kat added.
"We need to move on Klaue." Nakia said as they watched the deal going down.
"Stand down. We can't afford a shoot out." T'Challa said, and Kat was glad to hear it. There was just took many people here that could get hurt or killed. Peaking back at Ross and Klaue Kat wrinkled her nose as Klaue pulled out something from his pants. Seriously?! Kat looked away grossed out.
"It's now or never." Nakia said.
"Stand down." The words were said rather sharply by Okoye in their language, but this caused her to be noticed by one of Klaue's men. Okoye smiled at him then tried to turn away, but it was too late for that. "I've been made."
Soon the general pulled her staff and began fighting two of the men upstairs. She threw her wig at one glad to have what she considered a dead rat off of her head. A moment later one was knocked off the balcony onto the gambling table below. Disrupting everything and causing the fight to break out with people scrambling to escape. Klaue pulled a gun and began shooting at Ross, but the agent at least had the metal briefcase he held up to protect him as he ducked down. Seeing another two of Klaue's men running around the balcony trying to get to Okoye, Kat turned and tripped one up. With a few quick motions Kat was gripping her new wrist daggers. The second man noticed his friend go down and turned to attack her. No sooner did he pull a gun, Kat stepped aside and sliced his arm forcing him to drop the gun. From there she kicked him hard in the stomach forcing him to double over. By then the first one she tripped was getting up and she kicked him in the face sending him flying back onto his back with a broken nose. As the second guy struggled to get up, Kat grabbed the back of his head and brought her knee to his face knocking him out cold.
More gunshots were heard and when Kat looked back down below tables were overturned with T'Challa fighting two men himself. Kat didn't really have time to take stock of everyone else as some of Klaue's men noticed her and began attacking. Another rushed her with a blade, which she narrowly avoided. As she moved back the man kept swinging on her to which she now dodged his amateur attacks easily. After a moment she had enough and caught his wrist, stepping in closer under his arm she kicked him in the groin forcing him to the ground where she grabbed his shoulder in her other hand. With his arm extended outwards she brought her knee up hard against his elbow breaking his arm then slamming his head into the beam by the balcony.
Rather than wait for more enemies to come at her she saw two at the corner trying to get a clear shot to shoot Okoye. Rushing forward she jumped knocking into the first man the momentum made him fall and Kat rolled to her feet to grab the wrist of the second man still trying to get a clear shot at Okoye. With a sharp twist she broke his wrist, then kicked him in the side of the leg forcing him to kneel. With her other hand she hit him square in the throat knocking the air out of him.
The other guy was getting up by then Kat did not even really need to look to know this. Instead she dropped down and did a sweeping kick knocking his own feet out from under him. On the ground once more Kat rolled into a crouch and kicked him in the face before facing the other man still clutching his throat. He tried to punch her once he had enough air, but she caught the swing and guiding his fist to miss her. Twisting around like a graceful dancer she had her back to him as her elbow connected with the back of his head knocking him out.
Turning back to Okoye she watched the general kick a man below before dropping down herself leaving Kat above as another man rushed her. Still she heard gunshots as she fought and since she was on the upper level she could not see T'Challa, Okoye, or Nakia. That was until she dispatched another two men then she saw T'Challa on the balcony opposite to her. He was facing Klaue when she heard a distinct charging noise. T'Challa picked up a large vending machine to protect himself as the blast sent him back below onto one of the gambling tables. Klaue was laughing about making it rain as he and some of his remaining men rushed out of the club. Seeing Nakia and Okoye racing up the stairs, Kat ran around the balcony following them out. She could tell by T'Challa's thoughts that he was fine and would soon follow.
Getting outside she saw Nakia and Okoye drive off after them as Sophia called out. "Katrina, we were told you might need to leave quickly."
The big guy that had been guarding the door rode up on a motorcycle and Kat grinned. "Thanks."
However as soon as she climbed on she discovered a problem. "Please tell Yuma, I am sorry."
Before they could ask why Kat gathered the dress, sure the long side slit allowed free movement, but the last thing she wanted was her dress caught in the tires as she rode at high speeds. Using the Vibrainium wrist dagger she sliced off the gathered material turning the dress into a mini dress. Then put away the dagger and drove off following as close as she could behind Okoye, and Nakia. Behind her she heard another car and peaked back. The car had no driver, but T'Challa was in his suit on the hood. Kat shook her head wishing she was in her own suit rather than the mutilated dress she was wearing now.
As the cars split up, Kat went right not far behind Okoye and Nakia. On the motorcycle there was not much she could do as she watched Okoye climb out onto the roof and throw a spear at the second car. It caused a nasty crash. Kat avoided the debris as she continued following even as they flew downhill. That was when she caught a glimpse of Klaue leaning out the window. A second later came the blast that she narrowly avoided as Okoye and Nakia's car was blown apart. "Shit!"
Instinctively she twisted the bike to fall on it's side, while lifting herself off the motorcycle and putting herself on the side facing up. The bike scraped along to a stop, then Kat looked over at Okoye and Nakia. Pulling her bike upright it was damaged but still serviceable. "You guys okay?"
"Yes, go!" Nakia called out once she finally let go of the steering wheel. With a screech she turned the bike and rode after Klaue's car. Soon Kat was reunited with the empty car driving and T'Challa. However no sooner did they speed around the corner did Klaue fire that cannon weapon he had shattering the car. Kat saw T'Challa jump and briefly run along the building before jumping onto Klaue's car where he destroyed the wheel. The car flipped and spun after T'Challa took out the tire and fell to the ground. However nothing seemed to keep T'Challa down long as he got to his feet and moved towards the destroyed car. Kat pulled to a stop not far away.
"Klaue, did you think we would forget?" T'Challa called as he saw Klaue climb out of the wreckage, and try to shoot him with the cannon arm. However T'Challa merely kept coming, he yanked off the arm before kicking Klaue into the ruined car. "Look at me murderer! Where did you get this weapon?"
"You savages didn't deserve it." Klaue replied which was the wrong answer as he was shoved against the ruined car. "Oh mercy King. Mercy."
Kat notably scoffed, the slimy weasel hardly deserved any type of mercy. "Every breath you take is mercy from me."
Kat could not agree more, but sadly without Klaue she would not find the rogue Shadow Network agent Linda. She was about to speak when Okoye rushed up with Nakia speaking in their language. "King! The world watches."
"Come on guys let's go, huh?" Ross said leaning out the car window, then he spotted Kat and pointed. "You!"
"Oh look it's almost midnight. Time for this Cinderella to get home." Kat said as she turned the bike and rode off.
"Hey!" Ross called, but by then it was too late. With Klaue already caught Ross would be forced to let her escape. With one last thought to T'Challa she asked him to get her a lead to follow before driving off into the night.
January 11th, 2017
Warehouse in South Korea
Returning to the warehouse she had originally landed in Kat pulled the motorcycle to a stop just inside the doors as Yuma came up. Nothing about tonight happened as planned, but with luck T'Challa would be able to squeeze that lead out of Klaue. Hopefully her being spotted by Ross would not get the Wakandan king in trouble. However for her she had just cut the engine to her motorcycle and sighed knowing she was about to get an earful from Yuma. As expected when she looked up he was there looking at the ruined dress. She almost expected the man to burst into tears, instead he sucked it up and instead said. "Looks like you had an eventful evening."
"You could say that. Sorry about the dress." Kat replied knowing seeing his creation ruined was painful. After a moment she asked. "The casino?"
"The security is mopping up Klaue's men. Luckily we have some pull with local authorities, the Americans have been sent away due to jurisdiction laws. Cutter is pissed off, none of Klaue's men will survive. The ones in hospital will be facing accidents, he wants a clear message and warning sent."
Kat nodded understanding even if she did not fully prescribe to this. "Any civilian casualties?"
"Fortunately no, most were just shaken over the ordeal." Yuma replied.
"Any other intel?"
"Authorities will try to keep Klaue," Yuma added, "Everett Ross was a part of a huge sting operation. T'Challa will have a custody battle on his hands."
"Any way to make make sure T'Challa gets him?" Kat asked.
"Cutter could pull some strings with local authorities. Claim damages, the Americans performed a covert op on foreign soil. Making their actions illegal, and with the Shadow Networks pull we could get the authorities to rule in favour of handing Klaue over to T'Challa."
"Sounds like the next best course of action." Kat said.
"I'll call Cutter, they will get to work on pulling all the right strings." Yuma replied, Kat then headed into the changing room to get out of the dress while Yuma got a hold of Cutter. When she came out dressed in her jeans and shirt, Yuma was just hanging up and turned to face her.
"It will take time, but Klaue will be T'Challa's." Kat merely nodded as she thought about it. Already this excursion had set her return back by two days. "So what now?"
The question from Yuma made Kat look up, "Now we merely wait. Once T'Challa is able to take Klaue back to Wakanda for his crimes, we should get a lead on Linda. From there we will hunt her down, but for now I need to head back to Wakanda myself. I have been away for longer than I intended, Tess will miss me."
"Okay I understand. I will pack up here, and let the others know." Saying their goodbyes, Kat boarded the Quinjet to return to Wakanda. The flight back to Wakanda was uneventful at least, it was still amazing and scary to reach her destination and fly through the illusion of a mountain into the hidden city. As usual she landed on one of the platforms and was turning off the engine. She gathered her bag of clothes and items before stepping off the Quinjet. Looking around it was a lovely sunny day, and Kat breathed in the fresh air before heading inside.
In the facility connected to the palace, Kat was allowed in without a second glance by the Dora Milaje and walked the halls with her bag slung over her shoulder. A moment later Aida tapped into Kat's phone hooked on her belt. "Welcome back Kat."
"Thanks Aida, where are Tess and Myra?"
"Both are in Shuri's lab with Shuri."
"Of course she is." Kat grumbled, why couldn't her daughter play or watch cartoons like a normal child? She headed downstairs and further into the spiralling building until she reached the deeper levels. The hall floor was lit and the blue walls glow reminded Kat of a computer's screen saver as she moved towards Shuri's lab and turned a corner. The underground lab opened out to a staircase leading down and showing much of Shuri's creative side beyond the glass door. As usual Kat pressed on the key pad to let Shuri know someone was there rather than just barge in.
"The door is open for a reason." Shuri called, and Kat smiled before coming in.
"True but it is considered disrespectful to enter a room without consent." Kat replied as she came in and around the staircase to see Shuri working at a table with Tess sat close by watching. The little girl sat up and brightened at seeing her mother. Dropping her bag by the door Kat came in further as the little girl hopped off the counter and ran up hugging her. "Hey Tessi, have you been good?"
The little girl nodded as Shuri added. "She is a constant fixture to my lab or the training grounds."
Myra stood off to the side smiling. "Not that the princess seems to mind."
That was when Kat noticed the wooden practice staff Myra mentioned in her reports. The staff was leaning against the wall by Myra, who followed Kat's gaze. "Tess just finished morning practices."
"Ah and how did they go?"
"Good, she learns very fast like her mother. Ayo says she cannot wait to inform her General." Myra replied, it was really no surprise. Like her Tess had accelerated learning, so gaining new skills would come unnaturally fast.
"I see you got my present." Shuri added noticing the bracelets Kat wore.
"Yes Yuma gave them to me in Korea. Thank you."
"You were in Korea?" Shuri asked surprised.
"Yes, and I saw your brother, Okoye, and met Nakia. Apparently we were after the same people." Kat pointed out, she then went onto explain how and why she met up with T'Challa along with the end result.
"So the Shadow Network will help my brother bring Klaue here?" Shuri asked.
"That is the plan, and hopefully if Klaue sings I can track down Linda and stop her before she does more harm." However in the mean time Kat wanted to spend time with her daughter while she waited for T'Challa and the others to return with Klaue. "For now though I need a shower, and thought Tess and I could go spend some time together. Maybe grab a bite to eat out?"
The idea made Tess grin and nod excitedly. "Great let me get a shower and we will head out."
"Okay, Myra and I will go visit daddy for a bit." Immediately Tess took Myra's hand leading her out of the lab and down a hall to the right which led deeper into the underground facility. Once gone Shuri voiced a long hidden concern.
"Perhaps you should go visit too. You have not been in the Cryo room since Sergeant Barnes was put into cryo-freeze."
"No I have not." Kat agreed.
"Are you angry that we put him under?" Shuri asked.
"I am not mad at you or T'Challa. I am mad at him, which is why I will not go down there. Nor will I be there when he wakes." Kat said firmly. When Bucky would be brought out of cryo he would learn that his actions had had dire consequences. Leaving the lab Kat headed for the room they had let her stay in and took that much needed shower.
Later that afternoon, Kat walked the streets of the unique city trailing behind her daughter. Some people stopped and notice the distinct skin tone, but did not seem to mind. Most knew she was a 'special guest', so they merely accepted her and her daughter as being there. Those that came to the markets everyday had grown used to the beautiful brunette running around and looking at the stalls of jewellery, trinkets, and various other items. Always Kat kept Tess in sight, and sighed wishing her daughter had left the practice staff back in her room. As Tess went up to one stall she called back to her mother. "Mommy look!"
Kat came up to look at the pretty baubles with Tess. One had caught Tess' eye as she pointed it out. "Do you think daddy would like this one?"
It was wolf figurine, and Kat had to force a smile onto her face. "Of course princess. You know he loves anything you get him because it is from you. Do you want to get it for him?"
"Yes mommy." Tess replied smiling up at Kat. Looking to the older woman Kat spoke in the local language of Xhosa asking for the wolf figurine. The older woman smiled and carefully wrapped it up as Kat pulled out the currency to pay for the item. After thanking the older woman the pair walked away with Tess holding the small bag containing the purchase. Eventually after much wondering the pair built up an appetite and stopped at some food stands where they bought some cooked foods. From there the pair sat at some makeshift table and enjoyed their meal. Mostly the meal was quiet with only the people continuing to move about.
"Mommy?" Tess finally asked.
"Yes Tessi?" Kat replied as the girl looked a bit nervous.
"Are you angry with Daddy?" That was a loaded question as Kat lowered her fork and considered how best to answer. Instead she countered with another question.
"What makes you ask that?"
"You seem mad at him... You don't visit him." Tess answered. Tess had a very good point as Kat sighed. How did she explain that Bucky's brash actions had hurt her deeply? Kat looked skyward for an answer that would not come from the sky and so she release a breath as she answered.
"Your father choose to make decisions without including us. So yes I am mad at him, when he wakes he needs to learn that he can no longer make decisions on his own without including us. We are now part of his life and should have a say in all decisions." Kat replied gently.
"Don't you make decisions on your own?" Tess asked.
"Not without at least telling you first what I intend. Yes I make decisions, but have I ever just left without uttering a word to you, princess?" Kat asked, it was then Tess looked down.
"No."
"Nor do I ever intend to act without thinking of you. Yes I will admit that there have been times I acted without thought out on a mission and put myself in needless danger. But on those occasions had I hesitated I might not have returned. Still the fact is your father acted alone. I am glad he told you what he intended, but I was not. He left me out of the decision." Having things explained Tess went silent as she thought over this new information, and Kat added. "Hey, don't be mad at him just because I am."
Tess nodded but was still deep in her thoughts for a few minutes before asking. "Are you going to forgive him?"
Kat had just put some food in her mouth so she chewed slowly as she considered her answer. Perhaps in time she would forgive Bucky, but right then she was still too angry. He would have a lot to apologise for. However rather then worry her daughter over fighting parents Kat replied. "As soon as he wakes up and apologises than yes."
Was it a lie? Most likely, but Kat herself was not sure what she would do. She would just have to wait and see what the future brought.
January 13th, 2017
Wakanda
The next couple of days was spent with Tess when she was not at practice. Mostly the place was quiet with T'Challa, Okoye, and Nakia having yet to return from South Korea. It was not until that morning as Kat sat on the grassy hill watching Tess at a distance practice. The little girl stood with children much older than herself, and also seemed to stand out amongst them with her pale complexion and brown hair. They watched Ayo instruct the small group as they held their practice staves by their side with their backs straight and heads held high. Then Ayo called out in Xhosa. "Defensive stance."
The group including Tess readied their staves, as they turned to the side crouching a little and pointed the staves ahead. Another girl had her legs too far apart, which Ayo pointed out as she moved down the line of young girls. One girl had her hands too close together on the staff making it easier for her to have knocked out of her hands. Again Ayo corrected the stance and moved on until she got to Tess and looked the girl over carefully before simply giving one nod of approval. Then she called for the next stance and the group chanced stances to match. Myra came to sit down by Kat as they watched.
"She is going to make the other girls jealous, not a foot out of place." Myra noted.
"For a one year three month old that is scary." Kat admitted.
"She will always be different, but that is a good thing. With HYDRA gone she can thrive without fear." Myra was right of course, but Kat felt there was plenty to fear as she watched Tess. "I get the distinct feeling that you're still afraid. What is it Kat?"
"HYDRA may be gone, but there will always be those that will want to take Tess away because she is unique. I fear the day I can no longer shield her from the rest of the world. She is like this land... a hidden gem."
"So that is why you did not kick up a fuss about her receiving training." Myra said after a moment.
"Yes, I hate the idea of her not acting like a child. I want her to be a little girl, enjoy it, linger in it because she can always grow up later. While at the same time, I don't want to deny her. She wants to learn from the Dora Milaje and it will protect her. Part of me is screaming no when I watch her train because it feels too soon. While the other part says 'you may not always be around to protect her, so let her'. That make any sense to you?"
"A little, but I am not a parent. I think because of how you were raised you were forced to grow up fast, so you want her to slow down and be a child for as long as possible. However instinct is telling you, she needs to be prepared. Instinct goes against wishes. You wish for Tess to be a child, but instinct says she must be prepared for whatever may come her way." Myra's words made a lot of sense as the pair continued to watch Tess. However a phone call distracted Kat who saw it was Aida.
"Yes Aida. What's up?"
"Patching in a call from Shado." A second later Shado's voice spoke. "Katrina?"
"Yes Shado, what is it?"
"I would have called sooner, but time zones... that and we were trying to track him again." Now Shado sounded tired.
"Track who? Shado what happened?"
"Klaue, he escaped. You can guess who helped him. He escaped yesterday."
"Damnit!" Kat cursed. "Where are King T'Challa and his entourage?"
"They took off shortly after." Shado replied, "I think they are heading back to Wakanda."
"Alright," Kat said with a sigh, "Keep looking."
Hanging up Kat ran her fingers through her hair. Their efforts is Korea turned out to be a waste as she put away her phone.
"Problem?"
"Yeah, Klaue escaped custody and before the Shadow Network could get custody granted to T'Challa. The former Shadow Network agent Linda helped in the escape."
"Great, so what now?" Myra asked. For a moment Kat considered what she could do. Perhaps she could look at the footage, see if there was anything to go on.
"I need to go back to the Quinjet, review the footage. Can you watch Tess for a bit?"
""Sure, good luck in the search." Myra replied as Kat got up and left to return to the Quinjet. Meanwhile Myra watched as the group were nearly finished. With a respectful bow to Ayo the group was dismissed and Tess came bounding up towards Myra.
"Where is mommy?" Tess asked.
"She was called away. Don't worry she is just reviewing some footage, she is not taking another trip yet." Myra answered, "So where to next?"
"Let's go visit Daddy, then see Shuri." Tess said, and Myra walked with her back to the facility. The red head never minded watching Tess since now children would not be in her own future. At least Kat ensured revenge on Kovach for what he had done, and helped Myra escape HYDRA. So to the former HYDRA agent it always felt like she owed an un-payable debt to Kat. Besides Tess was the closest thing she would know to having her own child. It made her the perfect body guard for the child. Ever since Tess was first left with Myra a strong unshakable friendship had formed between the two. Peaking down at her charge, Myra watched Tess carrying her practice staff. Then returned to looking around for any possible threats. Did she take her job seriously? Yes, after all she was of a select few to know of Tess' heritage. If more knew many would seek to take her away and use her. It was the only mission left for Myra.
Myra honestly did not believe she would ever be an agent again, she often thought of joining Coulson's team wanting to be a SHIELD agent. Sadly Myra felt no one in SHIELD would ever trust her so why bother. Sam Wilson also asked her to come with the Avengers and him, but where would she fit in there? Sure she liked Sam and found him sweet, but even though he convinced her to spend an evening with him. There was just no future for them, no doubt one day he would want children and it was the one thing Myra would not be able to give. Aside from that she promised to help Kat and that meant watching Tess when Kat could not.
Entering the building they went into the lower levels down to the familiar level with the glowing floor and blue liquid walls. However instead of turning right which led to Shuri's lab they continued straight and down more steps to a door. Keying in the number the door unlocked and Myra opened it for Tess who walked in first followed by Myra. The door hissed and clicked shut behind them and as they moved the automated light lit up the room. The walls held a ice blue hue as well as different counsels. In the middle of the room was a single capsule with wires and tubes going to it from the floor. Next to the capsule was another counsel which showed the vitals of the frozen man inside the capsule. The pair came closer then sat on the hard floor looking up at Bucky Barnes.
For a time they merely sat in silence watching him until Tess spoke. "Mommy is mad at Daddy."
"Yes, I know." Myra said, then looked at Tess. "Don't worry they will work it out. All Mommy's and Daddy's argue and fight, but they also forgive one another in the end."
"How much longer do you think he will be asleep?" Tess asked.
"Not much longer, the Princess is working on it." Myra reassured her.
"I miss him." Tess said after a moment sounding sad, and Myra pulled her close letting the little girl lean into her.
"I know, and I am sure even asleep he misses you too." Again it fell silent and for a bit longer the pair watched Bucky asleep before getting up and leaving the cryo-room. On entering the lab and descending the stairs Myra yawned having not had her coffee that morning. Shuri heard it and turned.
"My work is not so boring that you have to yawn Agent Bicks."
"No sorry, just have missed my cup of coffee." Myra replied and the princess smiled.
"How about you go get a mug before you yawn all over my equipment."
"On protection detail." Myra pointed at Tess getting the princess to look then shake her head as she returned her gaze to Myra.
"She will be safe here while you go get some coffee."
"Really? You don't mind?" Myra asked.
"Go before you yawn again, Agent."
"Alright, I will be back in a few minutes." Myra said heading back upstairs and out of the lab.
Meanwhile Tess climbed into a stool and sat nearby watching what Shuri did. "What are those?"
"I call them Vibrainium Gauntlets."
"Why not Panther Gauntlets? They have kitty faces." Tess giggled.
"Why not let the inventor name her own inventions hmm?" Shuri asked smiling at Tess. For a few minutes Tess merely watched Shuri as she worked. Both were so focused on Shuri's new invention neither noticed a man in the lab.
"Alright where am I?" Both nearly jumped as Tess looked at a man in a dark night gown with grey hair.
"Don't scare me like that, coloniser!" Shuri said, as Tess watched the stranger.
"Colon—what? My name is Everett." He said as he got closer.
"Yes I know Everett Ross... former Air force pilot and now CIA." Shuri said turning back to her work.
"Right," Everett turned back looking around the room before looking back at them. "Okay is this Wakanda?"
"No, it's Kansas." Shuri's smart ass remark made Tess giggle and now the man looked at her. Shaking his head he asked Shuri another question. "How long ago was Korea?"
"Yesterday."
"I don't think so bullet holes don't just magically heal overnight."
"They do here." Shuri chuckled, "But not by magic, by technology."
"Shuri is the best she healed my mommy." Tess added proudly, and Shuri held up her hand for Tess to give her a high five which she did.
"And who is your mommy? More importantly who are you?" Everett asked looking at Tess, then he looked to Shuri, "Who is she?"
"My assistant and bodyguard." Shuri replied smiling at Tess. Everett resumed looking around the room, and Shuri added. "Don't touch anything my brother will return soon."
Everett went to the window to look out it and saw the amazing sight of the tram ways. Tess carefully got down and came over to stand next to him. "Pretty isn't it? Shuri made it."
The man continued to look out the window after smiling at Tess, so the girl continued. "I'm Teresa Amaya Barnes."
She held out her hand for him to shake which he smiled at her and did then gave a funny look. "That's a long name."
"Everybody just call me Tess." She added, and Everett smiled failing to catch on to the vital fact she shared a last name with someone that had escaped his custody months before.
Instead he asked as he gestured back to Shuri. "So you assist and guard her?"
"Mmm-hmm, I am training to be a Dorna Miljoe." Tess replied proudly as Shuri laughed then tried to resume her work as she watched the pair. The pair talked a bit more with Ross growing a little more stunned by how intelligent the child seemed. Then a train went by in the window that caught his attention.
"These train things that's mag-"
"Magnetic levotation..." Tess answered even though she got levitation wrong.
"Obviously." Shuri added.
"Obviously, but I've never seen it this efficient. The light panels, what are they?" Everett asked looking to Shuri.
"Sonic Stabilisers."
"Sonic what?" Everett asked.
"In it's raw form Vibrainium is too dangerous to be transported at that speed so I developed a way to temporarily deactivate it." Shuri said coming around the table by Ross and Tess as she explained.
"There's Vibrainium on those trains?"
"There's Vibrainium all around us. That's how I healed you." Shuri said returning to her table chuckling.
"See? I told you she is the best. That's how she healed my mommy." Tess added. By then Myra was returning with her coffee in hand and noticed the strange man in the lab.
"Who is this?" Myra asked gaining the other's attention.
"Myra this is Everett Ross. Shuri healed him." Tess said and for appearances Myra smiled, but internally she was worried. Had she known the man was in the lab she would have taken Tess away immediately rather then risk her being discovered. Meanwhile Tess was unaware of the potential danger she could be in. "Everett this is my friend Myra Bicks."
"Hi," Everett said waving at her.
"Hello." Before they could continue Shuri received a call via her kimoyo beads, and Okoye appeared. While Ross and the others were distracted, Myra tapped some keys discretely on her phone to alert Aida to the situation in the lab. Immediately the AI tapped into Myra's phone.
"Where is T'Challa? His Kimoyo beads have been switched off." Okoye asked.
"Well we are not joined at the hip, Okoye." Shuri chided.
"A man and injured woman showed up at the border who claims to have killed Klaue." Okoye said.
"What?" Shuri asked shocked.
"W'Kabi is transporting them as we speak to the palace." As Okoye spoke Shuri was activating her own computer to see who this man and woman was. "We need to find your brother!"
"Outsiders?" Shuri asked looking at the image of a man on the hologram of her computer.
"No, the man is Wakandan." Okoye corrected.
"He is not a Wakandan. He's one of ours." Ross replied as the group looked at the image. The group then looked at the image of a woman as well.
"And her? Who is she?" Shuri asked Ross.
"Her? I have no idea. An accomplice?" Ross guessed however the conversation was enough for Aida to properly ID Ross and learn of the latest developments.
"Tessi, we should go now. We'll only be underfoot. C'mon." Myra urged the little girl towards the stairs but froze when Ross called out.
"Wait." Myra slowly turned smiling at the man looking at both woman and child carefully before holding up the practice staff Tess left by the window. "You almost forgot your... stick."
"My practice staff," Tess corrected.
"Well you can't forget it, otherwise how will you become a Dorna...miljoe?" Everett said also wondering if he got the name right. Coming forward the girl took the staff and smiled up at Ross.
"Thank you," She said as she took the staff, "It was nice meeting you, and I am glad you are better."
"Thanks, and it was a pleasure meeting you as well." Everett replied, once they moved to the top of the stairs Tess called out as she waved at Everett and Shuri.
"Bye." The pair quickly waved back before leaving. Once out of sight, Myra picked up her pace urging Tess to stay close. Kat would not like this latest development.
Author's Notes:
First off thank you all for the lovely reviews, I really appreciate them and love hearing what you thought of the latest chapters.
As for this chapter well she does get to hang with T'Challa and co which is a lot of fun because I really loved Shuri and Okoye. I also really enjoyed writing the casino scene. It gave me the chance to expand on the Shadow Network and how it has grown in the years since it first started.
Later in the chapter I also felt it was about time I expanded more on Myra and her relationship with Tess. At one point we get an inside perspective on Myra's personality and how she takes her bodyguard job very seriously.
As for Tess she has spent her four months training in the beginners classes to be a Dora Milaje. Which I am sure many would say she is a bit young, but as said she appears to be much older than she is. At one year three months she looks more like a two and a half to a three year old. Her mental age is obviously older then that. Yes no doubt she would be the youngest to be trained, and not exactly one normally picked by the Dora.
I did try to do research into the Dora Milaje themselves, but all I could get was women from each tribe would join the Dora to protect the King (Black Panther) and one would be a potential bride to the unmarried king. Mainly I wanted to know how young these tribal members went to train to be become a Dora, but could find nothing. So I am going with the idea that at a very young age girls from different tribes are taken in for training, but that does not mean all of them make the cut. Probably as young as four or five they begin their training, so while Tess is the youngest and smallest it is still plausible.
Also if anyone has more information on the Dora Milaje or know how young the Dora are when they first start training please let me know.
Aside from that I do hope you have enjoyed this chapter. Please let me know what you think by leaving a review. I love reviews.
Lesliezin
