Chapter 19: A Common Ground

Kukulkan had to admit fighting alongside the black panther was exhilarating. He held back no punches.

They had effectively taken out the enemy. It seemed a small rebellious group of men were kidnapping women and trying to sell them like property. He had never felt so disgusted. Any of those women could have been his beloved, or namora, or even one of his people. He wanted to slaughter the men to nothing, but the black panther had other ideas.

At the moment, they were in New York City scouting out the area for the man who had dared touch his wife. The young scientist was currently waiting with the panther's guards. Namor made sure to show her just how frightening he could be when someone messed with those he cared for.

He was grateful his wife supplied him and her brother with bracelets that made them invisible.

"There he is," T'challa announced

The fool was walking down a deserted pathway. Without warning, Namor jumped down and snatched the fool into the darkness. whatever the man was holding, dropped from his hands and the man screamed.

"don't hurt me! don't hurt me! please!" the fool begged as namor flew him to the top of a building, where he and the king were waiting.

Namor threw the child at the feet of the Panther king

"You get one chance." He told t'challa

T'challa gave him a look and turned to the fool begging for his life.

T' challa then turned off the invisible bracelet revealing himself.

"mark strong…. You have much explaining to do."

"It's -it's you! You that guy who helped kick me out of the club! Is Shuri here? Where is the tramp who thinks she's too good for anyone!"

Namor still invisible was quick to punch Mark in the gut.

"time is running out panther. Get him to talk or else.." namor threatened. Unlike, the surface dwellers, namor meant what he said. He would kill Mark and the scientist if answers were not found.

Mark was bent over groaning.

T'challa was quick to grab him by the collar.

"Tell me, the vibranium detector. How did you build it? and who else knows about it?"

"w-what? What are you talking about?" Mark stuttered.

Namor restrained himself. He was ready to throw the child off the building. But he was willing to allow the panther to interrogate him. Only because of his bride. She was the only reason he was holding back. Especially after the fool disrespected her.

"you and Riri Williams created a vibranium detector! The CIA used it to try to find vibranium! now tell me how you created it and how the CIA got it!" the panther growled.

"– it was for our final project in our sophomore year! Riri and I were partnered up and we created the detector out of garage pieces. Our professor thought it was brilliant and had a journalist write about it! the CIA heard about the detector and paid us for the rights to own it!" the child explained.

The panther cursed something and pressed a button on his suit.

"Okoye. Bring the plane, we need to verify with Riri. Shuri did you get all that? Can you find the article?"

Namor heard his wife's irritated and concerned voice through the communicator.

"im looking now, brother."

The ship landed and the fool was dragged on. The panther dropped him next to the scientist who looked confused and frightened.

"King T'challa i-"

"Silence!" the panther ordered. " I ask the questions and both of you will answer them! Tell me Riri, Is it true you built a vibranium detector alongside this man?"

"yes," she said as she hung her head.

"is it true that you presented it to your professor and they put it in the newspaper?"

"yes," she answered as tears sprung in her eyes.

Namor rolled his eyes. he was not moved by the child's emotion. She should have thought about her betrayal before she made the detector. She knew Shuri was the princess of Wakanda. She knew vibranium was important to them. She had no excuse.

"and is it true that you and Mark sold the right to the detector to the CIA?"

It was then the scientist's head shot up a look of horror on her face.

"What?! sold the right to the CIA?! No why in the world would I do that? It doesn't make-"

The scientist stopped as a realization came upon her. She then turned to the fool next to her.

"you idiot!" she suddenly shouted at him. She then proceeded to smack him on any part of him she could reach.

Namor smiled.

Maybe this girl did have some common sense.

One of the panther's guards pulled the scientist off, much to namor annoyance. The boy got what he deserved.

"YOU! You sold the rights to our invention to the CIA! You moron! Now it makes sense why the CIA was out in the sea in the first place! They had our machine!"

"We need to know if their another one? Did the CIA take just the machine or the blueprints with it too?"

All eyes looked at Mark who was trying to look elsewhere.

"answer the question!" The panther ordered.

"We only made one! But…but…I ..gave them the blueprints! I stole the blueprints, from Riri's computer. The CIA has plans to make more." Mark whispered in fear.

Namor saw red. He was quick to grab the fool by his throat. One second from crushing his windpipe.

"Wíicham ma'!"( Husband doesn't!) A voice that could pierce his heart rang out. it was Shuri, she was speaking to him through his bracelet. She was speaking his native tongue.

"Wíicham, much tu'ubsikech ti' ku ka'a wotoch! Teech k'abéet ti' teen! Talokan a k'áabet! Ma' a K'astal le estribos!" (Husband please forget about him and come home! I need you! Talokan needs you! You cannot lose your temper!)

Namor dropped the fool, who fell to the floor and grasped his neck.

"How are you guys doing that!?" he croaked.

"who cares! We have to get our blueprints back from the CIA!" riri yelled.

" calm Riri. We have some connections in the CIA. We will handle it. Riri, we will drop you off at home. Tell no one off this. And you.." the panther said as he turned to the fool still on the floor.

" you will be watched. I should kill you where I stand for what you did to my sister and for your betrayal. Keep your mouth shut or we will be back."

The fool nodded but namor didn't trust him.

…..

"what is your solution?" namor asked as he stared out the window of the jet. He was anxious to get back to Wakanda and back to Shuri. but most of all he needed to go back to Talokon.

"We have spies all over the world. They bring us information when we need it. plus we have an ally in the CIA. I will send the word immediately. The blueprints will be erased from their system. The blame will fall on some new intern, no evidence will come back to Wakanda or your people."

"you trust these surface dwellers?" namor questioned.

"only a few." He admitted.

Namor nodded and continued his gaze upon the outside world. He could see the ocean and felt the waves calling to him.

"I must return to my kingdom for a day or two before we resume negotiations. And I hope this will be the time we can agree?" He questioned

"it is obvious we have different views on many things. But today, when we fought side by side. We had a common goal. I think we can solidify something this time. but I must ask something?"

Namor nodded for T'challa to continue.

" just an hour ago, you would have killed the young man. I saw the rage in your eyes. but then my sister stopped you. She said something to you. I must ask what was it?"

Namor smiled.

"she was speaking my native tongue. I must admit, I find peace, in being In the presence of the princess. She has an understanding of me, I have never seen before. She has taken the time to learn my language, my people, and my customs. I'm sure you've noticed, but she has gifted my people some pieces of advanced technology. Right now, she is currently working on a barrier to protect my nation. A barrier like yours."

"and it is done!" Shuri's voice spoke through T'challa beads. " Kukulkan! Your barrier is ready, but I would like to install it if you don't mind?"

"I find it a privilege, that the princess of Wakanda wants to install the barrier herself. I could show you my kingdom."

Shuri's excited squeal was heard through the beads. A hologram of herself popping out of T'challas beads.

" and experience! An advanced Mayan civilization that has survived because of vibranium! yes ! I would love to! Brother-"

"I don't know about this shuri." T'challa voiced. "Kukulkan, my sister is next in line for the throne, since my son is too young. She is the head of our science department. She is responsible for the whole kingdom when it comes to our technological advancement. I cannot risk it if something happens to her."

"brother! Please let me do my diplomatic duty!" shuri argued.

"Princess? Can I talk to the king, please? And no eavesdropping, querido."

"fine." Shuri pouted and then signed off.

"I understand your concerns. We both must guard our nations and be cautious of who we allow in. Why don't we allow the princess to choose who will accompany her, to give you some peace of mind?"

T'challa stared at the sea king. Hesitation in his eyes.

"if something happens to her…" he began.

Kukulkan shook his head.

"no harm will come to her. I am a man of my word. If I say it I mean it."

with that said, the two kings agreed.

….

That night while Wakanda was sleeping, namor snuck back to New York. The fool who dared touch his wife was staring at him in fear.

"Please.." he begged.

Namor shook his head. He then bent down and whispered into the fool's ear.

"you should have thought twice before you touched my wife." And then namor forced the poison into his mouth, while namora and Attuma held him.

Once he was dead, they headed back to the sea.

His Queen would be home soon. and no one would dare put their hands on her ever again.