Birthright

Surprise

They tore back to the compound as fast as the truck could go. Each immersed in their own fears.

T'Challa for Shuri.

Asa and Thor for Loki. 

If Klaue and his goons had captured them - or worse - this could be very VERY nasty indeed. 

As they drove up to the gates, they saw nothing to reassure them.  Smoke billowed from the ruins of the gatehouse, and one of the gates lay entirely on its own, where an explosion had torn it from its hinges.

Wounded Dora Milaje lay where they'd fallen, comrades beginning to ferry the injured to the medical staff. None had been killed, it seemed, due to their skill and no small amount of luck.

Some of Klaue's men, however, were not so skilled. They now lay stretched out in the sun, eyes no longer blinded by the harsh sunlight.

Palace staff, more used to fetching and carrying food and drink than wounded people, were milling about aimlessly, in shock mostly, some searching for hidden enemies.  At the sight of their King returning, they surrounded the vehicle, cheering.

T'Challa opened the door as soon as they stopped and jumped out to tumultuous cheering.  The people, at least, seemed to think that Wakanda was safe again. 

Asa, Thor, and Fury appeared right behind him, and the four of them made their way into the main part of the palace complex.

T'Challa kept shouting Shuri's name over and over in the increasingly vain hope she would respond.

Anyone they came across was questioned. None could say much except "they attacked us!"

It wasn't until they gingerly walked into the main lab that they got an answer.

"Brother! Thank goodness you're alive!" Shuri ran up to him. 

"Shuri! What happened? Where are they? Where's Loki?"

"They attacked us right after you left.  It was like they knew. Our warriors defeated their footsoldiers, but Klaue? He was too good. He managed to get into the palace itself. Brother, he's not human. He has.... a false arm..." she paused, remembering the feeling of it pressed against her neck.  Cold, metallic, terrifying. "Loki saved me. Without a thought for his own safety. He lured Klaue away..." she trailed off, and T'Challa slipped a brotherly arm around her shoulders.

"But what happened to him? Is he... gone?" He asked gently, himself terrified of what the answer might be.

Asa and Thor held themselves ready for both shock and devastation. In the end, they needed neither.

"I'm right here." The voice came from the mezzanine level above them, and they instantly craned their necks to see.

Loki stood at the edge of the platform, grinning down. In his right hand, he dangled a helpless Klaue. Helpless because not only was he bound by silken green ropes from neck to ankle, but he was suspended by those same ankles.

It's funny how you dont look up when you're looking for someone!

They all charged up the stairs to join him, and he dumped Klaue unceremoniously at the feet of T'Challa.  "All yours, King T'Challa, I think it only fitting you decide his fate."

Shuri appeared at T'Challa's side. "Brother, we need him alive. We need him to reveal who else might be involved."

Fury nodded. "The princess is right. Klaue is good at what he does, but he's usually bankrolled by someone else. The bounty on Loki by itself..." he paused and looked at him with a shrug "sorry but it's true. The bounty alone wouldn't have been enough for Klaue to risk taking on the Wakandans. Someone else wants you dead, Loki." He turned to the cursing lump at their feet. "And this little shit is gonna tell me who."

"Fuck you" he sneered as he looked up at them all, his eyes blazing hate. "You think I'll tell you anything? I'll die first." His voice, a thick South African accent, was low and threatening even now.

"That you might. But we're sure as hell not going to make it easy for you." Was Fury's measured response....

As the palace guard carried him away, still trussed up like a turkey, Shuri turned to her brother. Now she let a tiny flicker of a smile edge her Brother, I have to admit I forgot all my training. This is all on Loki... I froze."

"You didn't!" He was half smiling, half shocked. Shuri was usually the one telling HIM not to. For her to admit this, she must be really shaken up. He smiled at her, "Now we're even, eh?" No rebuke, no lecture about letting him down, just brotherly teasing to let her know he understood.

"I did, brother. I don't know why. Does anyone? Anyway, we owe a great debt to Loki." Now she turned to him, "I didn't really get a chance, so....thank you." She reached out and hugged him, taking him by surprise.

His astonished expression made them all laugh. T'Challa slapped him on the back.

"Ah, maybe I should have warned you." His dark eyes glittered, "she likes to hug!"

"Ok, so if this mutual admiration society is finished, perhaps we should get to the business in hand?" Fury had swung easily back into Director mode. Brice was secretly relieved. He'd never wanted the gig. It was more of a field promotion than a real wish to lead.

They left the room, heading to the detention block. Banner and T'Challa leading the way, Fury hanging back to catch Loki and Asa.

"You two? You don't come in. You don't take part. Do I make myself clear?" He pointed at them both.

"Loki ,you will only lose your shit and stab him." He turned a little to look at Asa. "And you? Well, I know what women do when someone attacks their family.  I, for one, do not want to clean up THAT mess."

He smiled, a rare sight. "We will be oh, an hour maybe two. Go and rest. Don't worry, the Wakandans have medical technology far above anything we have, so their wounded will be fine. We'll find you when we're done."

Without waiting for an answer, he turned on his heel and swept away, leaving them standing.

Asa turned to Loki and gently took his hand. Looking up, she smiled at him. "Come on. I don't know about you, but I could do with a drink now!"