CHAPTER 15: The Wakandans
The next day, Steve walked into the conference room. Tony had arranged an important meeting with some potential allies—he and Steve were taking the meeting privately with the African group. He wasn't sure how the new players might factor in, but they could use all the help they could get if aliens were going to invade the planet.
Steve's eyes went to the dark-skinned man seated at one end of the table, across from Tony, and the two stiff women with bald heads standing behind him, long spears in their hands, the ends resting on the floor.
The stranger rose and extended his hand. "Captain Rogers." He nodded his head.
Steve clasped the man's hand and gave a brief shake. "Prince T'Challa, it's a pleasure to meet you."
They took their seats, and Tony waved a hand in the air. An image coalesced onto a thin glass panel against the wall. An image of T'Challa, a young woman with long hair, and one of the guards currently standing behind the prince appeared. Then the image changed to a man and woman seated at an anchor desk.
"It took all of Earth's resources to defeat the alien army and restore the Vanished. King T'Challa has returned to Wakanda and reclaimed the throne. Clean up and repatriation efforts across the globe are already underway."
The image vanished. Another appeared, this time it was T'Challa, and he was speaking from what looked like a remote connection to a counsel. "My sister was able to remove the Winter Soldier programming from Sergeant Barnes' head. He no longer poses a threat. He was a victim, and he fought alongside us against Thanos and his army. He deserves freedom."
The screen went blank, and Tony swiveled to T'Challa. "That's all I was able to download about Wakanda's involvement."
T'Challa tilted his head, looking unimpressed. "That is the proof you offer? That can be faked."
"I'll turn all the footage over to you, the original files. With your technology, I'm sure you'll be able to authenticate it," Tony said.
"Explain what you know about our technology," T'Challa demanded.
"I know that most of the vibranium in the world is in Wakanda," Tony said, "and that your medical technology is sophisticated enough that you were able to give Barnes a fancy new arm and get the Winter Soldier programming out of his head."
"Aliens will invade this planet in about three years," Steve said. "You know what happened in New York. We barely defeated them, and from the little we know, what's coming next will make that invasion force look like a bunch of little leaguers. We need your help, or in less than three years, half of all life on this planet and in the universe could vanish—Wakandans included. According to that newscast, you're one of the victims, Prince T'Challa."
T'Challa straightened. "By that time, apparently, I am King, which means my father dies within three years. How?"
Steve shook his head. "We don't know. Tony had limited opportunities to access information about the future."
"Due to that friend of yours from the future?" T'Challa asked.
Tony nodded. "Yeah, a real stickler for the time-space continuum, but since we've now proven a multi-verse, it really doesn't matter. We're in a new timeline, which means things may not happen at all like they did in the other timeline. We have a chance to make sure things go a lot better. And, hopefully, neither of us die this time around."
"If we can validate the footage," T'Challa responded, leaning forward, "then of course Wakanda will join in the fight against the alien intruders. I must converse with my King, of course. He is rightfully protective of Wakanda and does not trust the outside world. You, Captain Rogers, of all people should know how many evil men have gained power and seek even greater power."
Steve nodded. "That, I do. On the other issue, is Wakanda able to offer medical assistance to James Barnes?"
T'Challa sighed. "My sister is the one who would have assisted him. She is still a child, but one of our greatest minds. I do not believe my father would allow her to leave Wakanda to do so, however, nor would he allow strangers, especially the Avengers or a former Hydra assassin—even one that was used against his will—inside Wakanda."
"I understand," Steve replied. "I hope he'll consider it. With what's on the horizon, we need all the help we can get, and as you saw from the video, Bucky was fighting alongside us. He's proven to be an asset."
Something tingled at the back of Steve's brain from the recovered Hydra files, and he instantly regretted the word.
The Asset. That was one of Hydra's code words for the Winter Soldier. It designated Bucky as property.
"We need all the allies we can get," Steve amended.
T'Challa bowed his head. "I will discuss it with my father."
-0- -0- -0-
Four days later, Bucky sat in Stark's lab. The new arm was working better than he could have imagined. There were a few kinks—such as accidentally bursting a beer bottle in his grip and tearing a door off its hinge.
Stark and Cho were there with him to do testing and calibration with the new arm. Dr. Cho had him squeeze a stress ball in his hand while Tony eyed a holographic projection of information that looked like gibberish to Bucky.
"How's the pain been?"
He gave her a genuine, appreciative smile. "Barely noticeable."
For the first time in an unimaginably long time, he was almost completely without pain. It didn't wake him up when he rolled the wrong way in his sleep. There wasn't a constant tug on his shoulder from the weight. He hadn't even realized the strain the pain took on him until it was gone.
"In another day or two, if it's not completely gone, come see me," she said. "I want to make sure we resolve any pain."
He nodded, "Thanks, Doc."
FRIDAY's voice emanated from speakers overhead. "Visitors have arrived. Rogers is escorting them up."
Tony responded without looking away from the hologram as he swiped at various sections. "Great." After a moment, he swung away and turned to Bucky. "You've got visitors, Barnes."
Who would be visiting him? Jimmy was back in Indiana, as far as he knew. "What? Who?"
Steve walked into the lab. Behind him was a black man with broad shoulders followed by two women carrying spears and stern expressions. Bucky tensed immediately. The women didn't look like they were here for a social visit.
"This is Prince T'Challa of Wakanda." Steve gestured toward the stranger. "Also, his guards, the Dora Milaje."
Bucky relaxed. He remembered Steve mentioning Wakanda and his future counterpart. He extended his right hand as T'Challa walked up to him. The man shook it.
"It's good to meet you," Bucky said.
"Dr. Cho," Tony said, "it's been a long morning. I brought in some food in the lounge. Why don't you go take a break?"
The woman cocked her head at Tony. She looked irritated, even a bit suspicious, but then nodded. "Trying to get rid of me? I hope it's not a bunch of processed stuff. Your diet needs improvement, Tony."
He grinned. "You'll be pleasantly surprised."
"Just let me know when you'd like to resume. In the meantime, I've got test results to review." She shot Bucky a smile and left the lab.
Bucky figured Dr. Cho didn't know about the Avenger's time travel adventure or the pending alien attack. At some point, she'd have to be brought in. Her brain would prove an asset.
"So, Sergeant Barnes," T'Challa said, "I understand you recently received that new arm." T'Challa studied it. "Vibranium?
Bucky nodded.
T'Challa threw Stark a disapproving look. "Stolen vibranium."
"Recovered vibranium," Stark said. "And with the end of the world approaching, should we really be quibbling?"
Bucky tensed. He wasn't liking where this conversation was heading. "Do you want it back?"
T'Challa shook his head. "I am not so heartless as to remove an arm from a man who may very well help us save the world."
"So you believe this time travel thing?" Bucky asked.
"Do you?" he responded.
"Steve isn't crazy, and he wouldn't lie." Bucky gave Steve a quick wink.
"Indeed." T'Challa took a breath. "I do not know Captain Rogers well, but we have seen aliens attack New York. It is not unreasonable to assume they may return, and that poses a threat to Wakanda. We have no choice but to act as if they will return."
"If they do, we will fight them to our dying breath," one of the guards behind T'Challa interjected, tapping her spear on the floor.
From her expression and the tone of her voice, Bucky knew she meant those words.
"Captain Rogers tells me that your mind was altered by Hydra?" T'Challa asked.
Bucky nodded. This was a topic he preferred not to discuss with strangers. He glanced at Steve, trying to read his expression. Obviously, Steve thought T'Challa was trustworthy, or he wouldn't have brought the Prince to the complex and certainly wouldn't have told him about the Winter Soldier.
"Apparently, in another timeline, my sister helped restore your mind," T'Challa said. "What would you do if you had your mind as your own again?"
"Assuming I survive the end of the world?" Bucky shrugged. "I guess try to figure out how to have a life—if the government lets me, that is."
T'Challa's dark eyes studied him. "You have taken many innocent lives?"
Bucky swallowed and met the man's gaze. "Yes."
"You remember them?"
Bucky took a breath. He was finding this conversation more and more unpleasant. He wasn't sure he could tolerate ripping those wounds open in front of strangers. "Yes."
"So, who killed them? James Barnes or the Winter Soldier?"
Bucky eyed the man hard. "My hand squeezed the trigger. The Winter Soldier was pulling the strings."
"Why should we help you?"
"You don't have to. I'm sure the doctors here can figure out something. Maybe. But while the Hydra programing is in my head, I'm a danger. Anyone who knows how to activate the Soldier can make me kill. Getting that crap out of my head means making sure there are no more victims of the Winter Soldier."
T'Challa's eyes softened. "Thank you for your candor. I have discussed the situation with my father, the King. He is not willing to open Wakanda to visitors. However, my sister is stubborn and opinionated. When she heard about my discussion with our father—I am still not sure how she found out—she insisted she be allowed to come. She is nothing if not curious by nature. She will arrive tomorrow. We are arranging nearby accommodations for her and the Dora Milaje assigned to protect her."
"Thank you," Steve said.
"If she's as smart as you say," Tony interjected, "we'll also want her to help prepare for the upcoming invasion. We're not going to defeat aliens with guns and clunky suits, as Dr. Cho would say. We need to upgrade our tech and fast."
"Not," T'Challa eyed Tony, "by creating an evil artificial intelligence determined to destroy the world?"
A shadowy emotion fell over Tony's face. Bucky wasn't sure what this conversation was about. What was T'Challa talking about. A.I.? As in something like Vision? Vision didn't seem evil.
"My fault, yeah, but I was right that we need something to defend this planet," Tony responded, a touch of hurt anger in his voice.
"What's all this about an evil A.I. trying to destroy the planet?" Bucky asked.
Steve and Tony both looked at him.
"You missed that all over the news?" Tony asked.
"Kinda preoccupied not getting captured, hiding out in dives and cheap motels," Bucky said. "Something big happened?"
Steve and Tony exchanged glances.
"A mistake," Tony said. "Won't happen again, and now we have another big hitter on our side. Vision may very well end up helping us save this planet."
-0- -0- -0-
Bucky seemed to live in the lab these days. He was seated on a chair while Tony and Dr. Cho conducted more tests on his arm. The scientist from Wakanda was already in the United States and would be arriving at the complex soon. Steve, Dr. Cho, Dr. Abodon, and Tony were all waiting in the lab when the Wakandan delegation arrived.
T'Challa entered first, then his Dora Milaje. Behind them, a small, thin girl with long braided hair wearing a short-sleeved orange top entered. Three more Dora Milaje followed, one carrying a case in her hand.
Bucky tilted his head skeptically and glanced uncertainly at Steve. The girl couldn't possibly be T'Challa's sister—the scientist who would help him get the Hydra programming out of his head. She looked like a teenager.
T'Challa stopped in front of Steve and gestured to the girl. "Allow me to introduce Princess Shuri. She is the leader of our Wakandan Design group."
Shuri's eyes immediately went to Bucky, giving him a slow visual scan before her gaze finally rested on the vibranium arm. "Interesting." She walked forward and reached out her hand. "May I?"
He nodded. Shuri held out her palm, and the woman with the case opened it and handed the Princess a tool that Bucky had never seen before. It was long and sleek with a bulbous end.
As Shuri held it, it glowed blue at the tip. She ran it over his arm, then handed it back to her guard and looked up, her gaze darting between Dr. Cho and Stark. "Impressive, but why is the internal structure Graphene-C?"
"We haven't recovered enough vibranium," Stark answered, his eyes darting to T'Challa. The Dora Milaje behind T'Challa stiffened.
T'Challa ignored the comment and turned to Rogers. "My father agrees that the threat of an alien invasion should be taken seriously. We are deciding how Wakanda can best defend against such an invasion while still protecting Wakanda's interests—particularly my father's desire to keep Wakanda closed from the outside world."
"As far as I'm concerned," Tony said, "the world doesn't need to know anything about Wakanda. We don't work for SHIELD or any government."
Bucky observed the exchange. It occurred to him suddenly just how absurd the conversation was. They were talking about time travel and alien invasions with such a matter-of-factness that one would think this was a rather mundane, run-of-the-mill conversation—all while women with spears stood by and a child was examining his robotic arm.
Bucky studied Shuri. He was convinced she couldn't be older than sixteen. Her eyes were bright and sharp with an air of youthful arrogance, loads of curiosity, and a touch of mischief.
"How old are you?" Bucky asked. It might be a rude question, but if she was going to be messing around with his mind, he figured he had a right to know a bit more about her.
She smiled at him and cocked an eyebrow. "Fifteen. How old are you?"
Jesus, she was literally a child. "Ninety-Seven." He stood up and shot Steve a look. "A word?" He jerked his head toward the hallway outside of the lab.
Steve followed him out of the lab and down the hall until Bucky figured they were far enough away for privacy. Then he turned to Steve and cocked his head. "You can't possibly be serious about that little girl messing around with my head?"
Steve looked appropriately skeptical himself. "I didn't realize she was that young, but she apparently helped your future self."
"When she was older maybe?"
"Two or three years from now, we think," Steve reminded him.
"Hell, one can get an entire degree in three years. Complete a military tour overseas. Or, you know, finish puberty."
Steve sighed. "She's obviously very smart. Don't discount her due to her age."
"Three years is twenty percent of how long she's currently been alive."
Steve grimaced. "Yeah. I know. She's young."
"Even if she's the smartest human being on the planet, she can't possibly have experience in this." He waved his right hand at his head. "I don't feel good about exposing someone that young to the horror show that's in here. Hell, I don't feel good about it, period, even with adults. I can barely stand what's in here."
Bucky heard the slight tremble in his voice on those last words and clipped his jaw shut, taking a breath. He realized from the expression on Steve's face that the other man heard the strain in his voice.
Bucky took a steadying breath, then tried again. "I just don't think it's right to ask something like this from a fifteen-year-old girl, and I can't imagine she's gained enough experience to really be of use here, no matter how smart she is. Has she seen combat? Has she treated veterans who have? Has she even gotten a degree in psychiatry? Neurology?"
Steve nodded. "Those are good questions. We can find out her qualifications, but she's leader of their design group. She helped the future version of yourself, from the little information we were able to gather. She may be the only person, for all we know, who can get that Hydra program out of your head. Do you want to turn her away before we find out more? Besides, she flew here from Wakanda just to meet with you."
Bucky sighed. He didn't like it, but Steve had a good head on his shoulders, and he was often right. Not always, but often. "All right, let's talk to her. Find out more. Make our decision then."
Steve nodded and clasped him on the shoulder. "Fair enough, buddy."
When they walked back into the lab, Dr. Cho and Stark were deep in conversation with Shuri, pointing at a holographic projection of Bucky's arm. They turned to him and Steve, their conversation dying.
"So," Shuri tilted her head and raised her eyebrows, "have you gotten over your ageism?"
Bucky glanced at the ceiling. Teenagers always thought they knew more than they did. He was one decades ago. He remembered what he was like back then. Still, she had traveled a long way to try to help him.
"I want to thank you for coming here to meet with me," Bucky began. "I'm just not sure if you know what you're getting into. How many war veterans have you treated?"
"War veterans? You would be the first. Persons recovering from trauma? A few."
"There're some…terrible things in my messed-up head. Hydra is twisted, cruel, brutal. You ready for that?" He gave her a hard look, studying her expression.
He saw a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes, but just for a moment…or maybe it was sympathy. He couldn't be sure.
She nodded. "I wouldn't be here if I wasn't. If you want my help, I'm offering. If not, I have other work to attend to. Don't waste my time, Sergeant Barnes."
Bucky looked at her older brother.
The prince shrugged. "It is entirely her decision. I've long since given up trying to talk her out of things." He gave his young sister an almost taunting look.
She shot him the middle finger.
Bucky sighed. Teenagers. If this was his best hope, he might just be screwed.
"Bucky, it's your brain." Steve turned to him. "Your call."
"What would your process entail?" Bucky asked her.
"I would identify the neural pathways associated with the Winter Soldier programming and then eliminate or alter those pathways," she said.
"How?"
She smiled at him as though he were the child. "I've developed technology exclusive to Wakanda."
He understood. She wasn't willing to divulge the details of that technology unnecessarily. If he sent her away, he or others might end up regretting that decision. He had to give it a shot. He could only hope the young woman in front of him was as smart and tough as the attitude she presented.
"Let's give Wesley Crusher here a shot," he said.
"Stole my line," Tony lamented.
"Wesley who?" Steve asked.
"How do you know about that?" Dr. Cho asked him.
Bucky gave a quirk of his eyebrows. "I'm unemployed and spending most of my days in a room with a very large television. I've discovered the whole streaming thing."
Shuri grinned brightly. "Have you seen the Librarians? Or Game of Thrones?"
"Jesus, you watch Game of Thrones? Kids these days, they grow up so fast." Tony threw a mock dramatic look at the ceiling, shook his head, and looked at Bucky. "I think she might be able to handle the stuff in your fried gray matter."
"Great." Shuri clapped her hands. "Dr. Abodon has already briefed me, so we can start anytime."
"Now?" Bucky hadn't expected to dive in so soon.
"You have other plans?" she asked him. "Or would you prefer tomorrow? I'm only here for a few days."
Bucky sighed, resigned. "No other plans, I guess, but can I use the bathroom first at least?"
She grinned. "Please do."
-0- -0- -0-
Twenty minutes later, Bucky was back in the lab. The two doctors were still there, along with Steve and Tony. Bucky had taken a little extra time to steady himself when he was alone in the restroom. He hadn't been prepared to dive into a session with strangers and a little girl. Everything was being thrown at him so quickly. He barely had time to catch his breath.
"Okay, lie back." Shuri guided him back on the exam table. She pulled a few small discs out of the large case propped on a table. "These will interface with your neural system. I'd like to get some baseline measurements. I'll put one on each of your temples and one on the base of your skull. I'll ask you to think about certain things from before Hydra captured you. The devices can read your neural patterns and display the information."
Bucky honed in on that word—display. He didn't like the sound of that, but he wasn't sure exactly what she meant. He watched as Shuri withdrew one bead from the case and another from a bracelet on her wrist composed of identical-looking beads. It rolled off her wrist, and the others snapped back together. He stared at it in amazement. He thought the bracelet had been merely decorative. He noticed similar bracelets on the wrists of all the other Wakandans.
"Nifty." Tony moved closer to the bead. "Vibranium, I take it?"
"The vast majority of our technology is based on vibranium," she told him.
Bucky looked apprehensively at the discs. They were the size of the neural dampeners Dr. Cho used on him. "What do you mean by display?"
Shuri positioned one of the discs on his left temple. He flinched at the unexpected suddenness of her movement, and the Dora Milaje tensed behind her.
If they knew he could snap the little girl's neck before they even touched him with their spears, they'd be a lot tenser.
"Sorry." She smiled apologetically at him. "I realize you're nervous. I'll move slower, let you know exactly what I'm going to do before I do it."
"Thank you," he said.
"To answer your question," Shuri continued, "the discs will record the baseline neural patters. The information is displayed so that if any of the early memories get mixed up with later memories, I can isolate and eliminate those patterns from the baseline record."
"You mean that technology can actually read minds?" Dr. Abodon asked.
Shuri smiled and nodded. "Yes, it reads neural patterns and, using an algorithm I developed, translates that data into colors, images, and sounds. Sergeant Barnes, you will be semi-conscious, as though you are in a very light trance."
"It's Bucky." He nodded, trying to get comfortable on the exam table.
"Can I place the other two devices on you?" she asked.
He nodded.
She set the other discs in place on his temple and at the base of his skull, then flicked the bead that rested on the table. Instantly, the room faded.
He heard her voice. "Bucky, I want you to think back to a childhood memory."
-0- -0- -0-
Steve watched in amazement as the holographic projection took shape in the air above the table. He recognized the apartment as Bucky's childhood home. It was Christmas. The tree was modest but well-decorated. There was a small collection of presents beneath the tree and cookies on the coffee table.
The display was from Bucky's POV. He was looking down at a present on his lap, wrapped in brown paper. He wore blue striped pajama bottoms and gray slippers. Steve couldn't quite figure out the year, but Bucky looked small—older than a toddler but far younger than a teenager. Six or seven, Steve ventured a guess. That would put it around 1923.
Steve sank back in the nearest chair. He couldn't believe he was actually peeking into Bucky's mind. It felt weird—like he was a peeping Tom—but he couldn't look away.
He missed all that. Brooklyn. A simpler time. Hanging out with Bucky on the steps in front of one of their apartments.
Buck ripped open the brown paper to reveal a dark blue scarf. "Gee, thanks, Mom." He didn't sound particularly enthused.
"Put it on." The image tilted upward. Steve recognized Margaret and Ruth, Bucky's sisters, toddlers, running around and playing. His mother sat in an armchair, a baby in her arms.
Becca, Steve realized.
"Isn't this for girls?" Bucky's young voice asked.
"Put it on, Jimmy," a man's voice—Bucky's father.
"Okay," little Bucky sighed. He draped it over his shoulders. The ends hung wide over his torso.
"Come here." His mother smiled at him, and he got up and padded over to her. "If it's going to keep you warm, wrap it around like this."
Her hands lifted it, wrapping the material around his face and neck. She studied him then burst out laughing. "All I see is your darling blue eyes." She spun Bucky around. Steve saw George sitting on another armchair, reading a paper. "Look at him, George."
Bucky's father looked up and shook his head with a smile. "You could rob a bank in that thing and no one would recognize you. Winnie, can he even breathe?"
"It'll keep him warm," she said. "Go take a look in the mirror, honey."
Bucky walked over to the small mirror hanging near the front door. The thick navy-blue material was wrapped around his neck and the lower half of his face, leaving his eyes peeking over.
"I want one!" a girl's voice yelled.
The image spun as Bucky looked back at Margaret. "You can borrow it anytime."
"Jimmy, you're so generous." His mother's voice teased.
Bucky looked back at the mirror. The reflected image was suddenly the Winter Soldier, with long, dark hair and a black mask covering his nose and mouth. Only a pair of blank, blue eyes were visible on his face.
Steve's breath caught in his chest at the sight.
On the table, Bucky's eyes shot open, and he lurched upward.
"Hey." Steve was there to put a steadying hand on Bucky's shoulder.
"I don't want to do this right now." Bucky pulled off all three discs and dropped them on the table as he swung his legs onto the ground—overcompensating and tilting sideways before righting himself.
Steve reached out a hand to steady him, but Bucky shifted away from his touch and marched out of the lab.
Steve looked apologetically at Shuri. "I'm sorry. Can we try this again tomorrow?"
"Do not apologize," she told him. "Tomorrow will be fine."
Dr. Abodon stepped forward. "I'd like to speak with him for a few minutes in the morning, before the session."
Shuri nodded at the doctor. "Of course. I think that would be very useful, Doctor."
Steve knew Shuri was a child, but he was gaining respect for her maturity and the technology she developed.
