"We have some vital updates," said Hill. "Apparently Winter Soldier is in Mandarin's employ." "How did that happen?" said Peter. "He's a mercenary; he's assigned with the PRC." "That's just great." "I know; it gets better. Namor the submariner is also involved; China's made an oceanic alliance with Atlantis apparently. Shield believes this alliance will prove pivotal for what you guys theorized was going on." I folded my arms over my chest in thought. "China intends to use the waterways to hit Wakanda..." "But it'll have to be from the Indian ocean; east Africa is where Wakanda is situated," said Hill. Peter said, "What's the China fleet deployment out there?" "There is a carrier group steaming toward the eastern continent as we speak." Peter looked at me. "You know the instant we try something Mandarin's allies will do something." I nodded. "That might very well be the point." I then looked at Hill from that of my husband. "There's more to why Barnes is a mercenary, isn't there?" Hill gave me one of my own famous crooked grins. "Yeah; there is. You know about him and Cap's past right?" "Yeah." Hill sighed/grew serous. "Well, both had a thing for Widow..." Peter scratched at his head. "Oh I think I get it; I've been that guy." I elbowed him lightly in the ribs. "Not anymore." "No; but I've been there. Barnes lost her to Rogers. Am I right?" Hill nodded. "You are." Peter scoffed/shook his head. "And this caused the fallout between them all and pushed Barnes to become an enhanced hired gun." "Right on."
"How do we handle him then?" I said. Hill said, "You guys can obviously take care of yourselves. Still, I like to believe in redemption. Director Fury would be for that too." "We'll deal with it as we go then," I said. "Works for me," said Hill. "I've got War Machine and Falcon on standby - along with a full helicarrier group if you need it." "Understood Agent Hill; but I think we'll do this the discreet way; just the Parkers for now." "Sounds good. Good luck."
We enabled our suits. "I'm not a big fan of flying..." said Peter. "I know hon, but we've got to expedite things." "For you anything..." We flew off for the Chinese naval group closing in on the other side of the world.
XXX
We had no doubt it was a trap; and the goal of all baddie traps was to spring them without getting caught in them. We flew in under stealth mode, and did so side by side like human fighter jets. Speaking of such jets... "Break right!" I said; Pete banked with me accordingly... A three Chinese fighter jet formation flew right past us at high speed. "What the hell?" Peter said. "Exactly," I said. We were still over international waters... but Africa wasn't that far away. And beyond that the Republic of Wakanda...and vibranium. They weren't being to discreet about it; but then they were with Mandarin and he was hardly a closed mouth over the airwaves. Still; it didn't feel right beyond the obvious. Whether it was the other enhanced Hill had told us about helping him or this treacherous crocodile cult operating within Wakanda's borders, there were no obvious ready answers beyond general insights at this point - and that would only take us so far. We pushed on for the enemy carrier group. The obvious goal was to avoid WW3 in the process...
