Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last conversation. You're also incredible. Sorry, this chapter is late. I had a death in the family last weekend, and I wasn't up to posting.

This is a chapter I've wanted to write since Wakanda Forever came out. This chapter does contain information that we found out in that movie. However, I'm playing around with it for my timeline.

Mood music: Good Man by

Conversation 73: I wish you would just tell your sister

Ana generated encrypted translation of a conversation between King T'Challa and Nakia.

Kitty brother: The American president is an idiot. He cares more about making Nomad Capt. America again, then Agent May's sacrifice. I'm grateful Director Stark opted not to share the specifics of her death. That man should know nothing of the infinity [redacted]. He would turn them into a weapon of mass destruction himself.

River Princess: Considering I am currently cleaning up their mess in Puerto Rico, I agree. Our intervention is what's keeping it from descending into power-person internment camps. At least, that's what I got from my conversations with Dr. Leopold's husband.

Kitty brother: Do you still want us to help them build up their economy to become an independent country?

River Princess: Yes. But I'll settle for an equal state and those with powers not being the property of the government.

Kitty brother: The Mumbai agreement clearly states that those with powers are not the property of their countries of origin. I fought for that clause.

River Princess: I know you did, but not all rulers are you. I assume that the American president is still not taking the threat of Thanos seriously.

Kitty brother: No. Not even in light of losing their Capt. America. He was told that Thanos was responsible, yet he still does not see him as a threat. His Chief of Staff sees it as an opportunity to go back to the "real" Captain America.

River Princess: You should not be shocked, my king.

Kitty brother: You are correct. If Acting Deputy Director Coulson's description of his abduction last week did nothing to make the man see how serious things were, then nothing I said would do anything. He and his military advisors only wanted to discuss the free trade of vibranium.

River Princess: Considering the military advisor was involved, I assume this has nothing to do with clean energy independence.

Kitty brother: And put their oil companies out of business? Never. They only see us as a means to get weapons. I wonder if POTUS made Stark the head of the ATCU in some misguided attempt to make him produce weapons again.

River Princess: That is a distinct possibility. I think our presence here is keeping the Americans from weaponizing many here who now have powers. We may need to grant a few more individuals asylum.

Kitty brother: I will take care of it. I don't need the council's approval for just a few. Unfortunately, I will have an emergency meeting with the Council tomorrow regarding offering sanctuary to the Asgardian refugees. I'm not sure they will agree to invite that many outsiders into our community—genuinely alien ones.

River Princess: ?

Kitty brother: We have received confirmation this morning that their planet was destroyed, and half their people have perished during the attacks. Around 8,000 refugees, many children, are making their way to Earth with plans to resettle.

River Princess: Where are they planning to re-settle?

Kitty brother: Originally Norway, but I would like to offer an alternative after the unsettling negotiations required to get the Asgardian weapon back. I'm worried they will take advantage of the Asgardian people, and they don't deserve that.

River Princess: I doubt the Council will agree to that. They are steadfastly against inviting outsiders. However, they might be willing to allocate resources to assist the refugees in settling elsewhere.

Kitty brother: Unfortunately, I agree with your assessment. I still want to advocate for the possibility if their king is open to this. I sent a message through Ana to have King Thor contact me. I am uncertain if that will occur before the emergency meeting tomorrow.

River Princess: I suggest only raising the possibility of offering assistance beyond what I'm sure you've already offered. When will the displaced Asgardians arrive on Earth?

Kitty brother: At their current rate, one month. However, if the purple one is defeated, they can take a more direct route.

River Princess: It is better to find a solution for one problem than no solutions for many problems. For now, the focus should be beating Thanos for the survival of our world. The resettlement of the Asgardians can be dealt with afterward.

Kitty brother: You are correct. According to my last message from my sister, they have had a breakthrough and might have a solution to our current problem within the next 24 hours. Possibly less now that she will be returning soon. She is currently en route from San Francisco. Her friends and "cousin" are already there working on the project.

River Princess: That's good, at least. Am I allowed to know what that solution is? I feel like there are things I am unaware of. I'm still surprised I was one of the people Dr. Morales told about Agent May's death.

Kitty brother: There are things you are not aware of because there are things that I am not aware of. This is one of those times where ignorance is the preference.

River Princess: I already know something dangerous is coming for us, especially in light of Agent May's death. When I was informed of her passing this morning, Rio asked me to escort the enhanced children to Malta. She wants me to stay there to help protect them and their parents.

Kitty brother: You are upset at her suggestion?

River Princess: I think she only suggested I do it because I am pregnant. She's the only person among the leadership that knows.

Kitty brother: She is a doctor. She's the one who administered your pregnancy test.

River Princess: She is a relatively new doctor. I trust her more than the one who neglected to tell me to use a backup contraceptive after switching medications due to migraines.

Kitty brother: I don't regret that. I am looking forward to meeting our child in six months.

River Princess: Will you even be here in six months? [message not sent]

River Princess: I regret the timing, but not our child. They are a gift.

Kitty brother: I am aware, but there's never a perfect time.

River Princess: There's too much going on with the threat of Thanos and you being sick. I wish you would talk to your sister about what's happening or at least a different doctor. Just because the royal physician doesn't know how to treat you without the heart-shaped herb doesn't mean there's not a solution somewhere.

Kitty brother: My sister is dealing with too much as it is. She's obsessed with saving us all from Thanos. She needs no other burdens. She already fears my death enough.

River Princess: The alternative would be a worse burden. Again, she already fears your death. Let her focus that fear on something else.

Kitty brother: So, will you go to Malta?

River Princess: Of course, you're changing the subject again. [Message not sent]

River Princess: Yes. Someone needs to take the young children there. They are also going to need a protector.

Kitty brother: Former Agent Barton is there with his children. Dr. Simmons is also in Malta—she is accompanying Agent Coulson.

River Princess: It is good that he is not alone.

Kitty brother: She is also on mission restriction, and according to the SHIELD rumor mill, she threw up on someone's shoes when she found out about Agent May's death.

River Princess: That is an understandable reaction.

Kitty brother: It was the second time she threw up on somebody that day.

River Princess: In that case, I will share my special tea with her. Thank your mother for sending it to me.

Kitty brother: It is very kind of you to share. I will give my mother your thanks. She knew you would need it without me saying anything to her.

River Princess: Of course, she knows. You cannot hide secrets from your mother.

Kitty brother: I have another meeting with the Secretary of State this time. Thankfully, Under Secretary Rhodes will also be there again, and he's reasonable. I regret agreeing to come to DC to convince the American president to do anything.

River Princess: It always seems to be an exercise in futility. You'll be back home soon.

Kitty brother: I am leaving after this meeting. I would take Under Secretary Rhodes and Agent McKenzie with me if I could.

River Princess: I assume Dir. Stark needs someone to stay in the capital that he trusts?

Kitty brother: Unfortunately, that is the case. Let me know when you arrive in Malta.

River Princess: I will. Let me know when you get home. Talk to your sister. She can help.

Kitty brother: Only when this is over. She started scheming with Dr. Leopold and her cousin because of Robin's drawings of my death. I don't need her to become obsessed with another means of how it could be brought about, especially because this one will only affect me. You did tell me earlier to focus on one problem at a time.

River Princess: I can make an exception in this case. Do you want me to tell her what is going on instead? I can.

Kitty brother: No. I don't want her to deal with that burden. Promise me you won't.

River Princess: I promise I won't say anything to her.

River Princess: But I may say something to Dr. Simmons regardless. [Message not sent]

To be continued…

Note that Ana is capturing everything typed, but she's a good little AI and keeps people's secrets. However, this is going to be a hard one for our baby AI to keep to herself. But she's already buried this conversation under an extra six levels of encryption that even the Princess can't break through.