Chapter 17

T'Challa was warned of something entering the atmosphere above them. Everyone except Shuri, Wanda, and Vision hurried to the window to see what was coming. A large triangular ship appeared above Wakanda, but crashed directly into the shield covering the city. Smiles and grins were shared before five more triangular ships appeared through the clouds and crashed just outside the barrier.

T'Challa and Steve began giving orders and the group started to move from the room. Shuri continued her work on Vision, while Wanda stood by his side, tendrils of red snaking around her fingers itching to be useful in some way. Danielle looked at Steve as he crossed toward her, then pulled her away from the others.

"Keep them safe," he said." But if anything goes wrong and you can't protect them without putting yourself in harm's way, you get out of here and find a safe place to hide."

Danielle gave him a look. "I think you know me better than to believe I would find a place to hide."

Steve frowned. "I know. Keep yourself out of trouble."

"You too, Captain." Danielle squeezed his hand.

Steve nodded and hurried out the door after the others.

Danielle turned to Shuri. "What kind of protection are we looking at from those windows?"

Shuri never looked up. "They will never get past the barrier. We don't have to worry about the windows."

"Let's say they do get past the barrier. How protected are we?"

Shuri glanced at Danielle, a little less confident than before. "There is a slight barrier over the entire palace, but it won't hold against an army like that for long."

"Okay," said Danielle. "We keep a watch through these windows and alert each other if we see anything."

"I appreciate your dedication to my protection, Agent Thomas." Vision announced from his prone position on the table.

"You can call me Danielle. No need for formalities at the end of the world." Danielle took her position at one window and readied all of her weapons. She extended the stock on her machine gun and rested it against her shoulder.

Staring out the window, Danielle searched for James in the small shapes marching across the battlefield, pretending she could pick him out if she focused harder. Behind her, Wanda tried to keep quiet as she watched Shuri attempt to remove the stone, causing Vision to flinch when she zapped him a little too hard. Danielle could sympathize with Wanda, knowing her love was in danger, but there was nothing she could do about it. At the same time, she was jealous of Wanda because at least she could stay by his side. As soon as Vision was safe, Danielle was going to find James.

The doors on the triangular ships opened releasing thousands of large dog-like creatures with four arms and two legs and sharp teeth sticking out of their gaping mouths. They ran for the barrier and bounced against it, or pushed each other so hard that half their bodies made it through before the barrier replenished and cut them in half. Those that didn't run straight through began to run the outer edge of the barrier until it seemed like they would surround the city.

"They're trying to surround us," reported Danielle from the window.

Shuri looked over quickly, but returned to working on Vision with a little more urgency. Wanda joined Danielle by the window.

"What happens if they surround us?" Wanda questioned.

Danielle met her eyes. "I don't think we could hold them off."

The women turned their heads back to the battle as a beam shot down the barrier wall and split in half to allow the monsters in.

"He's letting them in?" Wanda's hand glowed brighter.

"He has to. As long as they keep the battle in front of them, they can control where their enemy can go." Vision offered from the table.

"My brother may not be as smart as me, but he is far from stupid," offered Shuri. "He will make the right decisions."

Wanda looked less than convinced, but she held her position at the window, waiting for any sign of danger.

Danielle knew she couldn't find James in the mess on the battlefield, but that didn't stop her from trying. She had to know that he was alright.

The sign of danger Wanda had been looking for appeared in the shape of a large machine like five saw blades attached by a rod that cut across the battlefield, crushing everything in its path. It made ruts in the earth bigger than a school bus and it didn't care whether its own allies were in its way. The Wakandans had nothing to stop it.

Wanda glanced at Vision, then faced the window. "I have to help them."

Danielle knew it was the only way to save their friends. "Go. I'll protect him."

In a blast of red flashes, Wanda was out the window and flying down to the battlefield to take care of the machines. Danielle watched in awe as Wanda landed in front of one of the machines and picked it up with her energy and crushed it like a soda can.

"She's incredible," said Danielle.

"Yes, she is," affirmed Vision, with a hint of emotion in his voice.

Wanda easily took care of the machines and the others fought back the dog-like creatures. It seemed the Wakandans were gaining the upper hand once more.

A scream from down the hall alerted Danielle to new danger. She raised her weapon and ran to the door to the room. As she reached it, an alien with a long staff swung it and hit her in the chest, knocking her across the room until she collided with the wall. All the air left her body as she fell in a heap at the base of the wall. She could only watch as the alien attacked Shuri and the other Dora Milaje guard and threw them to the floor. He turned in search of Vision, but the android had vacated the table. Vision attacked the alien and both of them went careening out the window and fell multiple stories to the jungle floor.

Danielle sucked in breath after breath trying to get enough oxygen to get off the floor. When she could stand, Danielle went to Shuri.

"Are you alright?" She asked, still breathing heavily.

Both women nodded, shaken by the blows they had received.

"I have to get down there. I have to find Vision." Danielle got to her feet.

"Wait," said Shuri. "In that box on the counter is a wakandan weapon more powerful than your machine gun. Take it with you."

Danielle opened the box to reveal a large gun with a blue glow to it. She strapped it onto her back and ran for the exit.