"Several objects have entered the Earths atmosphere." An analyst announced, looking at a screen nearby. "Trajectory would indicate Wakanda is their target, Eta approximately 3 hours."
Shay looked to Steve, watching the pulsing of the vein in his jaw as he considered their next move.
"Three hours. Take the next two to rest and prepare." His solemn eyes washed over the people gathered before him and he took another deep breath before addressing T'Challa, "We'll need a place to plan, and something to eat, I assume the city has been evacuated?"
"We evacuated the civilians after we received your warning, they are quite safe in the mountain. The Kings-guard and Dora Milage will fight with us, as well as warriors from the Border tribe and the Jabari Tribe. Please follow me to the counsel hall, refreshments have been arranged."
As the great doors swung open soundlessly, Shay took in the vast room. Rows of benches lined the outer wall and, in the center, a low table surrounded by cushions. Maps lay spread across one end next to a single empty coffee cup that read: 'Worlds best Bro'
"Make yourselves comfortable, there are sleeping quarters just down the hall. Anything else you may need, don't hesitate to utilize. We are at war."
Steve and Nat settled at the table with Okoye and T'Challa. The rest filed in slowly, uncertainly after them.
How do you prepare to fight an enemy with an unknown army? The fate of not only the Earth but the entire universe rested uneasily in the hands of a dozen heroes.
The waiting was terrible. Three hours: too long to think about it and not nearly enough time to be prepared.
If we don't keep moving, we'll freeze up, Shay thought to herself.
She led the way to the benches on the right, Peter and Pippin on her right and Bucky following a few steps behind as a gold light threaded through the low light of the room, gathering each of the stragglers toward her unconsciously.
When they were all grouped around her, she raised her voice in gentle command: "you heard Cap, get what you need, there's food coming, eat now if you can, sleep, shower, whatever you need to do, ok?"
Scott sat down with a little groan; his eyes nearly glazed as he heard her words. "Eat? Sleep? We have no idea what's coming, how are we supposed to do that."
Shay smothered her sigh and pushed an extra pulse of comfort through the glow that held them together. "You're right, we don't know what's coming, that's why we need to be at our best. Look, saving the world seems too big sometimes, at least it does to me. But all of you, this team, this family?" Her eyes glowed as she looked each of them in turn. "I will eat, and sleep, and fight, and die if that's what it takes to save my family. And I know you would do the same for me, so let's just do what we've got to do, ok?" her voice had softened and lowered as she spoke, as the words rose from her soul and the glow built around her, sparking in waves through her hair.
Sam grinned at her as the rest of them nodded, "Do you and Cap have the same speech-writer or is that just a freaky coincidence?"
That broke the tension and the gathered group chuckled and prepared to eat as trays were set on another set of benches.
Scott and Clint where buoying each other up with stories of the wild escapades of their children. Bucky had joined the war council with a plate of food for Steve, and Sam had stretched out on a bench for a nap. Wanda had remained in the lab with Vision, Bruce and Shuri.
Peter leaned against Shay, exhausted and full.
"There are beds Pete, go sleep." Shay finally said as he jerked awake for the third time on her shoulder.
"I don't-. wanna... Alone. worlds ending." His words were muffled against her arm.
Fear of abandonment.
The sense she'd picked up in the jet washed over her again and she understood.
"Ok, Peter. But I can't have you slobbering on my arm alright? Run down to the beds, grab a couple mattresses and pillows and bring them back in here, ok? Think you can stay on your feet that long?"
"I don't slobber." And with that indignant huff he sprung to his feet quicker than she'd expected and dashed out the door in a blur with the wolf on his heel.
Shay waved the dads over, "can you two make sure Wanda and Bruce eat something? And let them know there'll be a dog pile here, if they need a rest."
Scott was already over at the buffet fixing two more plates as Clint nodded, patting her arm.
"Thanks." Shay said. The word was insufficient but the glow communicated what she couldn't.
"Look after yourself too, alright?" and the sharp look of concern he gave her made her duck her head.
"Yessir, mom." Shay gave him a snarky salute and Clint stuck out his tongue in return. "Very mature."
"Punk-kid."
A pile of mattresses bounced through the door, followed by Pippin who carried a clutch of pillows strapped to his vest.
"Over here Peter." Shay called across the hall, and the flopping mattress mound changed direction to charge at her. "Slow it down, bud, we don't need a wildebeest stampede."
Peter appeared from under the mound, "Wildebeest? I thought they only lived in the Serengeti?"
Notes:
It's been a bit of a wait, but I hope the quality of the writing makes up for it, I'd rather take longer and keep the voices of the characters true to themselves (my version of them at least).
I've been plotting out some of the next bits and its about to get grim so I thought I'd give us all a nice warm cozy moment to prepare us for what's coming.
Thanks for reading!
