Ready to Comply

Family

Wakanda 2005

Kalina was very out of depth in this new and unfamiliar city. She was in awe of the incredible technology, innocently eager to learn about this new culture. T'Challa found her genuine childlike excitement endearing, in fact, most everyone did. There was no hiding that she couldn't stay, as much as T'Challa and Shuri wished she could. It was a week later when she heard T'Challa talking to their father, insisting they had a plan.

"What use is a deadly assassin? Let us fake her death! She can stay hidden within our borders!" T'Challa insisted as the pair walked to where Kalina stood, in her full tactical gear. Weapons and all.

"I wish it were that easy, my son..." T'Chaka said with a saddened sigh. He put a hand on his son's shoulder and reached out for Kalina to join them. "I believe that you will see us again Kalina... perhaps not for some years but your story does not end with HYDRA." The King told the girl with a fond look. It had become obvious that the whole family adored the little assassin, readily accepting her despite knowing she would soon need to return to HYDRA.

"Thank you for accepting me so readily... even after all I did. One day I will repay you all for what you've done for me in these last few days." Kalina said in a soft but sincere voice as her earpiece crackled with the voice of her handler. Instructions to return to the pickup point with all the information she had gathered since the beginning of her mission.

"You are family now. And you always will be. Anything you need from us is yours, no questions asked." T'Chaka told the girl firmly. "Good luck Kalina Barnes. I hope to see you again, free of HYDRA."

And with that Kalina Barnes left Wakanda.

She lied to her handlers about what she had discovered. Depicting the Wakandan people as a poor but unendingly kind people. HYDRA bought the lie and she was only punished for being injured.

oOo

Over the next few years, T'Chaka and his family were never far from her thoughts, especially whenever an assassin was sent to kill a powerful leader in Wakanda. To Kalina's surprise, Raven also thought fondly of the royal family and the altar had become noticeably more docile when not surrounded by HYDRA agents. In fact, it grew to the point when the pair had a real, full-length conversation which was devoid of insults and threats. It was 2012 and they were fast asleep in their bunk while they waited for the raging battle to wind down.

oOo

The inside of Kalina's mind was dark. At least it was until Raven lit it up for the purple-eyed main.

"You don't trust me..." Raven said in a low, amused tone. "Don't look so offended, Barnes. I know you don't and I know why." She waved Kalina's obviously affronted look.

"You've hardly given me a reason to trust you. It's been 64 years and all you've done is cause me problems." Kalina huffed, crossing her arms as she sat down on a random couch that had appeared.

"I promise you that I don't want to get you or any innocent killed... It's... I... I am not a creation of HYDRA... I am a creation of another trauma. HYDRA has just utilised me as a control chip..." Raven spoke in a surprisingly soft voice to the purple-eyed girl.

"How can I be sure you're telling the truth, Raven...?" Kali huffed and turned her head away from Raven to avoid looking into her blood-red eyes.

"Because I have no reason to lie to you... And I might be able to help us escape. I hate it here as much as you do." Kali perked up at that. It would take some time before Kali could even begin to trust herself let alone Raven. But this was a good place to start.

"What's the plan?"

"Rogers."

oOo

The plan took two years to perfect... But then in 2014 Kalina and Raven, having grown close and fond of each other, had a chance to escape that they were going to cling to...