Decisions and Splinters - Book 5 (Civil War)

Chapter 3 - The Sokovia Accords

Annabelle clicked through the different news websites, reading the different articles and watching the reports on Lagos.

"Eleven Wakandans were among those killed during a confrontation between the Avengers and a group of mercenaries in Lagos, Nigeria last month," one reporter recapped. "The traditionally reclusive Wakandans were on an outreach mission in Lagos when the attack occurred."

It switched to a clip of a press conference with King T'Chaka of Wakanda. "Our people's blood was spilled on foreign soil. Not only because of the action of criminals, but by the indifference of those pledged to stop them. Victory at the expense of the innocent is no victory at all."

She turned it off as there was a knock at her door before Vision floated through it. "I guess that counts as using the door."

"Oh, right. Sorry."

"You're getting better," she assured him. "What's up, Vision?"

"Mr. Stark is here."

"Thanks. I'll be right down."

"He's brought a guest as well."

"Is it one I'm gonna like?"

"That depends, but knowing you, not likely."

She chuckled. "Fair enough. Who is it?"

"The Secretary of State."

"Oh," she let out. "Yeah, you're probably right. So much for a nice family dinner."

***

"Five years ago, I had a heart attack. I dropped right in the middle of my backswing. Turned out, it was the best round of my life because after thirteen hours of surgery and a triple bypass, I found something forty years in the army never taught me. Perspective." Ross stood in front of the Avengers who all sat at the table except for Tony who was off in a chair in the corner. "The world owes the Avengers an unpayable debt," Ross continued. "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 world would you use, Mr. Secretary?" Natasha asked him.

"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." He stepped to the side as a map came up on the screen behind him. Yellow dots popped up with locations the Avengers had conducted missions. "New York." Videos of the Chitauri attack played, showing the destruction done by both the aliens and the Avengers. A video of the Hulk came up, showing him jumping from building to building, the walls crumbling as he went. Rhodey glanced at Natasha who just stared at the video. "Washington DC." This time it was the helicarriers crashing and Sam put his head down. "Sokovia." Frantic people as the city lifted into the air and buildings collapsed. "Lagos."

"Okay. That's enough," Steve told him as he saw Wanda look away. Ross nodded and his assistant turned it off.

"For the last three 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." His assistant handed him a large book and Ross set it down on the table. "The Sokovia Accords." Wanda picked it up and looked at it before passing it to Rhodey across from her. "Approved by one hundred and seventeen countries. It states that the Avengers shall no longer be a private organization." It went to Natasha next. "Instead, they'll operate under the supervision of a United Nations panel, only when and if that panel deems it necessary."