Chapter 13: He who wears the crown
T'challa didn't have one foot through the door before the council was down his throat with questions.
It had been three days since the strange people appeared and he was putting out fires everywhere. Some of the tribes were terrified of the new discovery. Someone other than Wakanda had access to vibranium. Someone who could have possibly been around longer than they had.
Besides the strange invaders, a horrible incident had taken place. An American ship had been found searching for vibranium. Everyone on the ship had been killed. Died by a rogue wave.
No one had any answers on how or why. And of course, Wakanda was being called upon. Who else had access to vibranium and didn't want the world to have it?
He was going to attend a United Nations meeting tomorrow. But the strange thing was that T'challa knew their strange invaders had something to do with the attack on the ship. To make matters worse, one of their outreach centers was attacked by French merchants. Of course, the Dora knew ahead of time and foiled their plans. But it didn't matter. someone was after their vibranium. The real question was who?
He sighed and put his hand up for silence.
" I have heard enough. I understand we are all angry and distressed but we cannot let this unknown enemy divide us. someone is after our vibranium. we will find them. No outsider will breach our borders again."
"but how can we be sure!? These invaders are non-detectable. They came out of the water! And nothing alerted us of their presence! They could be here now!" M'kathu argued.
T'challa shook his head.
"These…underwater people… they have access to vibranium just like we do. We do not know their intentions and we will hear them out before we cast judgment. But if they try anything, we have plans already in place. Shuri please explain to the council our plan."
Silence.
"shuri?" T'challa called again.
No response.
T'challa turned to see his sister staring out the window, her back to him.
It was his mother who got her attention.
"shuri!"
She turned around a look of surprise and mild shame on her face.
"I am sorry. What did you ask?"
The council clicked their tongue in frustration. T'challa himself wasn't happy.
"tell the council our backup plan."
"Ah yes, while I don't think it will be necessary. We will install radiators in the throne room. so if they try to attack, all the oxygen and water in the air will be sucked out and dry them out, they should be weakened."
"N'Jadaka is also working with the Jabari to tighten up security. there will be guards at all entrances and all exits. Our barrier has been strengthened as well." T'challa explained.
The council nodded begrudgingly. As soon as T'challa stood the meeting was over. Before anyone could move, his sister was rushing out of the throne room.
He shook his head and turned to his mother.
"Come, my son.." she gestured as they walked out of the throne room and into the royal gardens.
He was in for an earful.
….
T'challa stood before the United Nations. Cameras flashed and many dignitaries looked down at him.
" it has always been our policy to never trade vibranium under any circumstance. Not because of the dangerous potential of vibranium but because of the dangerous potential of you. you perform civility here but we know what you whisper in your halls of leadership and in your military facilities. Wakanda is not weak and has not lost its protector. Now is our time to strike. Last night there was another attack on one of our outreach facilities. Proof of the involvement of a member state is being uploaded to your mobile devices as we speak. And as for the identity of the attackers…"
It was then that the Dora entered with a group of French merchants.
"kneel.." Okoye ordered.
They did so.
"let our gracious response, be an olive branch. further attempts of our resources will be met with much steeper consequences. We may have revealed ourselves to the world but do not think that Wakanda has lost its ability to protect our resources. We are aware of the ongoing efforts of some to find vibranium outside Wakanda and wish the best of luck.."
With that said, T'challa strode out of the room the dora and royal guard following him out.
"one problem down, one more to fix.." he said aloud.
…. …
Shuri rubbed her temples as she played around with the prototype. It was four in the morning and she hadn't had a wink of sleep since her return.
Today they would meet with her husband and his people. Her people. The people she couldn't openly claim. But how badly she wanted to. The two worlds she desperately tried to keep separate were now clashing and she wasn't ready. She wanted to shout that she was the queen of Talokan and jump into her husband's arms. And at the same time, she just wanted to hide in her lab. Away from politics and drama.
She yawned and groaned as a wave of nausea hit her. She needed to sleep but she also needed to finish this last thing. She just finished the control panel for Talokan's shield. It had to be placed inside Talokan's sun and then from there, it would make them undetectable and guarded from threats.
"princess shuri?" her A. I questioned
"yes, griot?"
"your vitals are not looking good. Your blood pressure is low and you haven't eaten in the past 10 hours. If you continue this course, you may faint. Shall I contact someone?"
"no griot. I am fine. I will sleep as soon as I am done with this."
"I don't think that is wise princes your-"
"go silent griot."
Her A. I stopped talking. Shuri was grateful.
….
When Queen Ramonda was around her breakfast table, she realized something. her daughter was not present.
"Where is Shuri?" she asked her son and nephew.
Both men looked around in concern.
"Okoye!" T'challa called.
The general of the king's guard walked in. Her outfit had been updated to show off the power of the Dora. Today was a very important day, they had to look their best.
"where is Shuri?"
"she didn't come to breakfast?" Okoye asked.
"no. find her. check the lab." He ordered.
Three hours later, T'challa, Queen Ramonda, N'Jadaka, and the council, waiting silently in the throne room.
The Dora stood on their post as they waited with baited breaths for their guest.
Okoye and the royal guard were currently at the water's edge putting the conch shell in the water.
She would alert them when their unknown foe or ally walked out of the water.
The throne room's door opened to reveal Shuri with Ayo behind her. She wore a floor-length ombre dress. It started off gold and then changed to black. On her arms were traditional gold bands. On her head was a crown of gold beads that interloped into her hair. However it was the dress that stunned her family, it was Shuri's physical appearance. There were dark circles under her eyes and she looked exhausted.
Without a word, she made her way to her mother. She was quick to sit on her chair in silence.
The sound of a horn sounded in the air.
Her husband was here.