BERLIN - DAY
Traffic rolled around the victory column. A police convoy drove beside the river Spree. Amidst the convoy was a gray armed truck. Inside, Flora wore restraints inside a prison pod. Three armed guards sat on the other side of the glass-walled pod. A police motorbike stopped traffic and a van driver looked affronted. The convoy turned a corner onto a bridge across the river. In an SUV, T'Challa sat in front of Steve who sat in front of Sam who sat next to Bucky, who was holding Alpine.
"So, you like cats?" Sam asked.
"Sam," Steve and Bucky called.
"What?" Sam asked. "Dude shows up dressed like a cat and you don't wanna know more? Bucky, you're literally holding a cat."
"I'm keeping her safe for Flora," Bucky replied.
"Your suit... it's Vibranium?" Steve questioned.
T'Challa's eyes narrowed as he glanced sideways and said, "The Black Panther has been the protector of Wakanda for generations. A mantle, passed from warrior to warrior. And now, because your friend murdered my father, I also wear the mantle of king. So, I ask you... as both warrior and king... how long do you two think you can keep your friend safe from me?" Steve and Bucky were stone-faced as the convoy headed underground.
---
In a light gray walled bunker, Flora's pod was carried away by a forklift. Nearby, Steve and Bucky, the latter still holding Alpine, got out of the SUV and glanced across at Flora who didn't spot them. Steve, Sam, Bucky and T'Challa approached Sharon who was standing with a diminutive, gray-haired man.
"What's gonna happen to her?" Steve and Bucky asked.
"Same thing that ought to happen to you," Everett Ross replied. "Psychological evaluation and extradition."
"This is Everett Ross, Deputy Task Force Commander," Sharon introduced.
"What about our lawyer?" Steve asked.
"Lawyer," Everett repeated. "That's funny. See their weapons are placed in lockup. Oh, we'll write you a receipt."
"I better not look out the window and see anybody flying around in that," Sam said. As they went, Steve and Bucky looked back and caught Flora's eye.
Bucky once again had to resist the urge to take her far, far away from capture she didn't deserve.
COVERED SKY WALK
"You'll be provided with an office instead of a cell," Secretary Ross said. "Now, do me a favor, stay in it?"
"I don't intend on going anywhere," T'Challa retorted.
"For the record, this is what making things worse looks like," Natasha stated.
"She's alive," Steve and Bucky shot back.
Tony, on his phone, said, "No. Romania was not Accords-sanctioned. And, Colonel Rhodes is supervising cleanup."
"Try not to break anything while we fix this," Natasha told Steve and Bucky.
"Consequences? You bet there'll be consequences. Obviously you can quote me on that 'cause I just said it. Anything else? Thank you, sir."
"'Consequences'?" Steve repeated.
"Secretary Ross wants you each prosecuted. Had to give him something."
"I'm not getting that shield back, am I?"
"Technically, it's the government's property," Natasha replied. "Wings, too."
"That's cold," Sam said.
YOU ARE READING
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