Tragedies of Betrayal

06

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 Katarina.

"So, you like cats?" Sam asked.

"Sam," Steve called.

"What? Dude shows up dressed like a cat and you don't wanna know more?"

Katarina pursed her lips, looking around for a way to get out. She caught sight of Bucky's pod and looked at it solemnly.

"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 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 Katarina got out of the SUV and glanced across at Bucky who didn't spot them. Steve, Sam, Katarina and T'Challa approached Sharon who was standing with a diminutive, gray-haired man.

"What's gonna happen to him?" Steve asked.

"Same thing that ought to happen to you," Everett Ross replied. "Psychological evaluation and extradition. We'll figure out something for the kids."

"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 Katarina 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 and Katarina 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. She turned to Katarina. "We don't need to worry about you, right?"

Katarina looked at her. "Unless you decide to piss me off, no."

"Consequences?" Tony said. "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 stated.