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, Bucky 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 was next to Anneliese.
"So, you like cats?" Sam asked.
"Sam," Steve called.
"What? Dude shows up dressed like a cat and you don't wanna know more?"
"Your suit... it's Vibranium?"
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 warrior and king... how long do you think you can keep your friend safe from me?" Steve was stone-faced as the convoy headed underground.
---
In a light gray walled bunker, Bucky's pod was carried away by a forklift. Nearby, Steve and Anneliese got out of the SUV and glanced across at Bucky who didn't spot them. Steve, Sam, Anneliese and T'Challa approached Sharon who was standing with a diminutive, gray-haired man.
"What's gonna happen to him?" Steve and Anneliese, who signed, 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 Anneliese looked back and caught Bucky's eye.
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.
"He's alive," Steve 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 Anneliese.
"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?" Steve realized.
"Technically, it's the government's property," Natasha replied. "Wings, too."
"That's cold," Sam stated.
"Warmer than jail," Tony shot back.
Anneliese huffed. 'Bucky has been through more than enough. Why does he have to go through more?'
YOU ARE READING
Sentimental Journey
ActionAnneliese thought her place of birth was safe. And then one man came to power, and she was sent away for her protection. In the safety of a free land, she meets two young men who become far more important to her than she knows. As it has been said...
