Revamped!
[I just noticed this but ever since I posted this arc, Iqadi's story has been getting more recognition so thank you all for that.
Note - this chapter will contain flashbacks so pay attention to the subtitles].
Chapter 90: It's All Connected
Before - Wakanda
Iqadi washes the last of the dirt and leaves out of her hair. She steps out of the tub, exhausted to the extreme, especially after reviving from the heart-shaped herb's power in her veins. Every muscle in her body aches as she ties her robe. She should've called Imanu or a maid to help her but she wanted to be alone. Iqadi steps in front of her mirror and swipes away the fog, looking at her drained reflection. She takes a comb and starts brushing through her knotted hair.
She barely recognizes herself. If she saw herself in a bionic form, taking down her mother in a giant storm, she wouldn't know what to take. Yes, that's power but it's dangerous and uncontrollable … and she hates that her mother was the test subject.
"If any of you go near that contingency plan, I'll kill you myself!"
She yanks the comb right through a knot in her hair, ripping it right out. Iqadi sighs as unconscious tears fall on that torn knot, never expecting her words and abilities to be so haunting. She discards that piece of knotted hair and steps out of the bathroom to enter her bedroom and lie on her bed.
Just earlier ago, her mother was brainwashed and set to use her powers to destroy Wakanda. Just moments ago, Iqadi had to fight back and use her powers to the extreme and beyond that. Just moments ago, she got reminded of the dreaded contingency plans. And now, all those memories and horrors that came with the creation of hers came flooding back to her.
The plan had its benefits despite its obvious downfalls, she had to give it that. Seven years ago, when she created them, that was the night she fell in love with Imanu. She asked for his help in creating antidotes and loopholes for them. She wasn't allowed to do that but she did and got a husband out of it. The best husband.
Iqadi opens her eyes and sees Imanu now in the room. She looks at him and he gives her a weak smile.
"I thought you were asleep," he tells her.
"I'm not," she replies.
"Well, you should be."
"I want to be."
Iqadi looks at him longer. She notices the jitter in his movements as he walks across the room and it isn't because of what just happened. He knows something else.
"What is it?" Iqadi asks.
Imanu seems as if he's about to keep it to himself but he sighs as he sits beside her on the bed. Iqadi sits up but Imanu forces her to stay down. He keeps a hand on her shoulder.
"You have to keep this from your parents and I'll get to why," Imanu tells her. "There was more of a story behind the attack on Wakanda. At least, one that seems the most conceivable. It could just be a coincidence -"
"Imanu, please get to the point."
"Right." He takes a deep breath. "Iqadi, darling, I was revising the defence systems and - and your contingency plans have been stolen during the storms."
Those last few words echo in Iqadi's mind and cause a ripple effect of thoughts. Her plans got out. Someone stole her plans. There's someone out to get her friends. Her plans will be used to kill her friends. And more importantly and likely, someone abused her parents and destroyed her country just to get them.
Iqadi's anger comes out first. She grips on Imanu's sleeves and screams in frustration that morphs into agony. He wraps his arms around her before cupping her face, soothing her with his words about how they'll fix everything before anyone finds out. Then, she breaks down and cries in Imanu's arms.
-o-
Days turn into weeks and weeks into months. Iqadi and Imanu have been searching through Wakanda's software, snooping in every international database and government system out there, but nothing explicit comes to the surface. The best they had so far is a vague trace in Mongolia, but since the two of them searching is a secret, there's nothing much they could do about it. Wakanda was still being repaired and the two of them still had their royal duties to take care of so their searching happened in the dark.
"There must be someone we can call," Imanu says. "We have no reason to go to Mongolia, especially when our country needs us."
"I have someone in mind…" Iqadi mutters.
Iqadi rummages through a set of drawers before pulling out a burner phone that was incredibly old technology compared to all Wakanda has. She searches through the phone and sets it to her ear once she dials the number. It rings as Imanu sits across from her.
"I hope I am not disrupting anything," Iqadi says once the line picks up.
Clint Barton: Nat and I aren't really up to anything these days.
"That's good. I need help."
Clint Barton: I guessed so.
Iqadi is taken aback for a second. "You did?"
Clint Barton: Iqadi, I've known you for a long time. You never make phone calls unless it's a die-or-die situation. What is it you want Nat and I to do?
"Keep a secret and help me find one."
Iqadi kept the details to a bare minimum because the less they know, the better. She did mention that an important and classified Wakandan document was missing, but didn't dare say what it was. It helped that Clint and Natasha didn't ask. She insisted payment which Clint refused but she wired over anyways. All that mattered was that Clint and Natasha not only find her plans but not tell Merida anything about this.
-o-
"Did you retrieve it?" Iqadi asks anxiously.
Natasha Romanoff: Sadly, no. Barton and I couldn't get it. The compartment it was supposed to be in had a bomb in it instead and, judging by that and given the value of what you need, I'm positive that they relocated it once they had a hunch that someone was onto them. Possibly digitized it as well.
Iqadi exhales. "That makes this harder for me than it has already been."
Natasha Romanoff: I'd hate to say this but do you think they may be on to you?
"Possibly. Do you have any idea of where it may be now?"
Natasha Romanoff: I don't.
Iqadi sighs, feeling defeated. "That is unfortunate, especially the cost of not even having it with you. I thank you for everything you and Clint have done for me, Natasha, and I truly apologize for all the problems this has caused for you two and Merida. That is what I have been wanting to avoid for years."
Natasha Romanoff: Is there anything else Barton or I could do for you?
"I greatly appreciate the offer but I shall take it from here. It's better that way since they might believe I'm following them. This has been my problem from the start and by putting you and your husband in it, I'm only making it worse. Thank you again, Natasha."
Iqadi ends the call. She wraps the phone in the warmth of her hand for a bit before taking a seat beside Imanu. Feeling disappointed in herself, Iqadi rests her head on Imanu's shoulder. He remains silent and kisses the side of her head for support.
"Why haven't you suggested to give up?" Iqadi asks him.
"Because the betrayal in your eyes on the night you created the plans is burned into my memory," Imanu responds.
-o-
Iqadi had a panic attack weeks after. She just read a SHIELD report about Daniel and his Hulk separating with a pathogen which was one of her plans for him. It got out in the open and infected him, killing many of the scientists who made it. Despite Daniel being saved from it, it still freaked her out that her plans were starting to be used on her friends. Seeing them on a simulation was incredibly different from seeing them put to use.
She was a wreck. Her screams were never-ending and the sobs went on for what seemed to be forever. Iqadi's parents showed so much concern that they let most of the palaces staff go home for the day. They wanted to take care of their daughter themselves although they didn't know about her missing contingency plans being used at the moment.
Iqadi lies on her bed as her mother sits cross-legged beside her, stroking her hair. The sheets and Iqadi's cheeks and hair are damp with tears. The room is dark except for a few candles.
"I have never seen you like this in so long, my child," Ororo tells her softly. "You're so full of sadness and pain so sudden. What took your joy away this time?"
"I can't save myself from this," Iqadi replies. "Instead of inhaling air, I intake tears. I don't deserve saving or joy."
"No, Iqadi, I refuse to sit here and see you belittle yourself. What happened to Wakanda wasn't your fault. It never was and it never will be. You can't let the fears of your guilt control your life. You're a strong woman. You fight for what you want and you don't let anything or anyone get in your way. It will be hard but you will conquer."
Iqadi takes another breath, feeling the oxygen this time. She needs to get out of Wakanda and get to those plans before they get to her friends. The guilt will never leave her but maybe it will take her to where she needs to go.
-o-
Present Day - The Peninsula Suite - 10:39 AM
Iqadi sits on the white couch in her hotel suite. The entire room was a lot for her, especially since she was alone and hasn't been here much. Everything was bright and the best quality although Iqadi wasn't feeling the same. She sits with her legs crossed, a half-empty bottle of water sits on the coaster of the coffee table in front of her.
Ever since she got released from SHIELD's recovery room, she distanced herself from her friends while they were healing. She had to give them space for a while and she needed some in return. Besides, with the fact that SHIELD now knows about her contingency plans because they couldn't lie their way out of this one, she's on extremely thin ice with them and them with Wakanda.
Beside her water bottle is an urgent envelope that she received earlier this morning from a bellboy. It was sent from SHIELD and she has yet to open it until now. Iqadi picks it up and undoes the seams before pulling out a formal court order.
Petitioner: Strategic Homeland Intervention Enforcement and Logistics Division (SHIELD)
Respondent: Princess Iqadi T'Challa and Prince Consort Imanu Luyano (sent separate copies) of Wakanda
You're commanded to appear in front of SHIELD's Supreme Justice under oath in response to the following document: The Contingency Plan.
Iqadi looks at the official signature and stamp at the bottom of her subpoena. She raises an eyebrow as she folds the subpoena and inserts it back in its envelope. Iqadi takes a deep breath, meditating on the spot for a bit.
She has a few calls to make first.
[You see how this connected the arcs: African Storms, The Secret World of Espionage, Symbiosis, Escape from SHIELD Island, and The Contingency Plan? See? I don't mean to boast but I'm very clever when it comes to this]. [2020: Yeah, I'm smart].
Please vote in the poll on my page!
Stay Tuned - Time to see how SHIELD reacted to Iqadi's contingency plans and how they'll respond.
