This is War

II

AVENGERS COMPOUND

Steve and Michaela caught Wanda watching a news report on the Lagos attack and how they blamed her for it.

News Anchor #1 said, "11 Wakandans were among those killed during a confrontation between the Avengers and a group of mercenaries in Lagos, Nigeria, last month. The traditionally reclusive Wakandans were on an outreach mission in Lagos when the attack occurred."

King T'Chaka spoke. "Our people's blood is spilled on foreign soil. Not only because of the actions of criminals, but by the indifference of those pledged to stop them. Victory at the expense of the innocent, is no victory at all."

"The Wakanda king went on to..." Steve and Michaela, who were watching the news, turned the computer off, but sound drifted towards them from another room.

News anchor #2 said, "They are operating outside and above the international law. Because that's the reality, if we don't respond to acts like these." Wanda is sitting on her bed, watching the news on her TV. "What legal authority does an enhanced individual like Wanda Maximoff have to operate in Nigeri-" The TV turned off. Steve set the remote down and leaned on the door frame, Michaela next to him.

"It's my fault," Wanda said.

"That's not true," Steve and Michaela told her.

"Turn the TV back on. They're being very specific."

"Mick and I should've clocked that bomb vest long before you had to deal with it," Steve said as he and Michaela walked over. "Rumlow said "Bucky" and... all of a sudden Mick and I were a 16-year-old and 15-year-old kid again, in Brooklyn." They sat beside Wanda. "And people died. It's on me and her."

"It's on each of us."

"This job... we try to save as many people as we can. Sometimes that doesn't mean everybody. But if we can't find a way to live with that, next time... maybe nobody gets saved." Vision materialized through the wall.

Vision interrupted Wanda, Michaela and Steve by walking through the wall into Wanda's room.

"Vis!" Wanda called. "We talked about this."

"Yes, but the door was open so I assumed that..." Vision replied, gesturing at the door and stopped. "Captain Rogers and Miss Evans wished to know when Mr. Stark was arriving."

Michaela gave a nod. "Thank you. We'll be right down."

"I'll... use the door. Oh, and apparently, he's brought a guest."

"We know who it is?" Steve asked.

"The Secretary of State."

---

The Secretary of State, Thaddeus Ross, was standing at the head of a table. Rhodey, Natasha, Steve, Michaela, Tony, Sam, Vision and Wanda were gathered around.

Secretary Ross had summoned the Avengers to a meeting.

Secretary Ross began speaking. "Five years ago, I had a heart attack. I dropped right in the middle of my back-swing. Turned out it was the best round of my life, because after 13 hours of surgery and a triple bypass... I found something 40 years in the Army had never taught me: Perspective. The world owes the Avengers an un-payable debt. You have fought for us, protected us, risked your lives... but while a great many people see you as heroes, there are some... who would prefer the word "vigilantes"."

"And what word would you use, Mr. Secretary?" Natasha questioned.

"How about "dangerous"? What would you call a group of US-based, enhanced individuals who routinely ignore sovereign borders and inflict their will wherever they choose and who, frankly, seem unconcerned about what they leave behind?" Secretary Ross activated a screen behind him. News footage from past Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D. matters flashed on the screen as he spoke. "New York.A Chitauri leviathan. Terrified citizens. A soldier firing a gun. The Hulk smashed into a building and sent a dust cloud to engulf the camera. Rhodey looked regretful. He glanced behind him at Natasha.

Secretary Ross continued. "Washington DC."The three Insight helicarriers, firing on each other. The destroyed Triskelion. A helicarrier crashing into the Potomac and throwing up a massive wave, engulfing citizens and the camera. Sam looks down. "Sokovia." Terrified citizens running. The city rising. A building falling over. Wanda stares at the screen, as did Tony. "Lagos."The burning building. Paramedics moving a body. A dead girl. Wanda was particularly affected by the footage from Lagos. Steve and Michaela saw and intervened.

"Okay. That's enough," Steve and Michaela said.

Secretary Ross nodded to an aide and the images disappeared before he continued. "For the past four years, you've operated with unlimited power and no supervision. That's an arrangement the governments of the world can no longer tolerate. But I think we have a solution." He placed a thick document on the desk and passed it to Wanda. An aide handed him a thick book, which Ross slid across the table to Wanda. She picked it up, then slid it to Rhodey. "The Sokovia Accords. Approved by 117 countries... it states that the Avengers shall no longer be a private organization. Instead, they'll operate under the supervision of a United Nations panel, only when and if that panel deems it necessary."

"The Avengers were formed to make the world a safer place," Steve reminded Secretary Ross. "I feel we've done that."

"Tell me, Captain, do you know where Thor and Banner are right now?" Steve looked up and met Ross's eyes. "If I misplaced a couple of 30 megaton nukes... you can bet there'd be consequences. Compromise. Reassurance. That's how the world works. Believe me, this is the middle ground."

"So, there are contingencies," Rhodey said.

"Three days from now, the UN meets in Vienna to ratify the Accords." Steve and Michaela glanced at Tony. "Talk it over."

"And if we come to a decision you don't like?" Natasha asked.

"Then you retire." Natasha stifled a smile while Michaela narrowed her eyes.