R͟u͟t͟h͟l͟e͟s͟s͟ {Q͟u͟i͟c͟k͟s͟i͟l͟v͟e͟r͟/ A͟v͟e͟n͟g͟e͟r͟s͟}

Chapter 41: Attack (Part One)

A group of about three thousand people swarmed in on Clint, Tony, Pietro, and I, making me slightly people claustrophobic. We'd found Clint and Tony just a mile outside the compound. They hadn't even arrived here when we'd found them. In a rush, Clint had gotten out his transceiver, which he had obtained as leader of the mission, and called back the base. It was stupid that only he got ways of communication, but I guess supplies were limited. We all crowded around him, listening to the conversation he had with people back home and adding in our input.

"Clint, we know she's in Wakanda," Steve said, sounding unbearably confident, "We've checked. We found her 'mole' days ago, she was easy to spot, she glowed red. She came from Wakanda. I think Wanda is trying to trick you, saying she's not there."

"But the complex is empty! And the mine collapsed," I insisted, "Where else could she possibly be? And why waste so many people guarding something that isn't actually important or occupied?"

"She has plenty of people. A diversion would be easy to create. She could be telling the truth, but think about it. It's the perfect plan. Hide your operations, tell people flat out where you are. Have them not be able to find it, and then tell them you are somewhere else. They won't think to check back in the first place."

"But that's just going off on a limb. If she really did leave, then we need to get a move on fast," I argued, "We need more factual confirmation if you want us to stay here in Wakanda. I'm not going to stay here because you think something."

"I agree with Agent Strong," Clint said, his mouth curving into a deep frown, "But at the same time I don't. This is the only place we know for sure she has been recently. We don't have the time or equipment to tear apart the rest of the world looking for her, and you know it. I know you guys would like to get Wanda finished off as soon as we can, but would it be possible...." Clint trailed off hesitantly, "Do you think you could delay the invasion?"

At least ten different voices muddled together statically through the radio. Patiently, we all sat carefully, holding our breath. You could make out the fact that they were arguing, but that was about it. Otherwise, it just sounded like heated static. Why did they still have the talk button down?

I glanced up uncertainly around us. The sun was getting lower in the sky, casting shadows around us on the dusty floor. The crowd around us muttered in confusion and a little bit of fear. Everything was so confusing, what was going on, where we would go, when anything could actually begin to happen... Everybody was getting antsy from sitting around doing nothing. I'd never been on such an uneventful mission, expecting danger on every side and being disappointed every time. It was almost painful.

I bet Wanda was enjoying it.

Scowling, I focused my attention back onto the radio. Clint gave me a brief intriguing look about my expression, but said nothing.

"I don't see what's wrong with delaying the invasion. Nobody is really dying anymore, you have the unpossessed contained with the other Invulnerables. I'm sure Wanda's planning something, because she wants anyone without her influence off the face of the Earth, but I don't see why we can't just stock up our defenses. I know you'll feel like sitting ducks, but if you were out here with us, you'd feel just as hopeless. What are we supposed to do? Just sit here? Kick up some dust and hope to find a bunch of Wanda's secret plans? It's not going to be that easy for us. We need time if we're going to figure out where she is, and I know you can give us it. So, if you want us to even have a shot at finding anything about Wanda, and you don't want to show up here and then find out she's on the other side of the world, you might want to delay the dang invasion until we figure out some more information," Clint finished. I suppressed a laugh, making Clint give me a narrowed glare. "What?"

"Dang?" I questioned, "That is so.... fatherly.... of you to say."

"Well, sorry," Clint said indignantly, "It just kind of slipped out."

I laughed again. The radio was silenced, and you could feel the tension where they were, even through the far away communication waves.

The radio buzzed and crackled in, making us jump slightly. "Look, Clint, I can understand why you would want us to delay the invasion, but I don't think you understand. We are all in danger. Everybody here- They're terrified. Ever since they saw what she did to their loved ones, they're anxious, impatient, and they need to do something. Sitting around like this... It's making it worse. If we tell them we're going to delay our only planned attack... There seriously may be a riot here. These people are scared out of their minds," Steve crackled in. A few 'Yes''s and 'I agree''s mumbled in the background. "We're stuck."

"Steve, I have almost two thousand people with me right now that Crimson has just, well, saved. That's incredible, and it'll lift their spirits. I know they're scared, but tell them this. We are finally getting the means to grab Wanda and wring her little neck for what she's done to us- to this whole planet. Tell them we're delaying the invasion, and then just explain why. Just be honest with them. We can at least give them a little good news with the bad."

A long stretch of silence followed Clint's words, making us all uncomfortable. They hadn't pressed the talk button, so it's not like we could hear them discussing, yet it almost felt like we were there with them. Finally, there was a quick beep as they radioed in.

"You have two more days. One week. No más." Steve said, his voice firm. A small smile slid across my face, and by looking around, it was on everyone else's faces as well.

"Sir, yes sir," Clint said, chuckling.

"Oh, shut up," Steve replied, a ghost of a laugh in his tone. There was a small beep, and the radio crackled out.

"Alright!" Clint announced, turning back to the crowd loudly, "I think most of you heard- We have one week. One week to find any trace of Wanda, any particle, any shred of evidence of where she is or was. This is the most important thing you will probably ever do, even more so than actually fighting her. If we don't know where she is, any military effort we desire to put forth will be a complete waste. Tomorrow, at six AM sharp we'll start looking. Most of you will probably be searching the complex, but others may be digging around or searching the nearby areas- Even though it basically just looks like dirt."

"Wait!"

I glanced over at Pietro, who suddenly looked startled, like he'd had a revelation. "Tony," He said sharply.

"What?" Tony replied suspisciously.

"How much do you actually know about Wakanda? The terrain?" He pressed, looking both eager and confused.

"I have a map of it, and my dad talked about it once or twice," Tony replied slowly, narrowing his eyes. "Where is this conversation going? Get to the point."

Pietro shook his head, and pressed further. "Did he ever talk about anything... particular in Wakanda?"

"Vibranium..." Tony said, looking tired of this.

"No. This is supposed to be a major landmark, simply because it's the only place in Africa that doesn't look like this. Dirt."

Tony thought that over. "You're right. He mentioned a waterfall. And a dead burying cermonial place. And a mound of the most valuable metal in the world, not a mine."

"What? But metals come from the ground." I insisted, "There has to be a mine."

"Not when they're extraterrestrial." Tony said grimly, "I think I know what you're getting at, buddy."

"Did you just call me buddy?"

"Well, would you prefer honey? Sweetheart? Sugar?" Tony suggested sarcastically. Pietro just gave him a look, and then glanced at Clint.

"Take a look at your map, Clint. I don't think we're in Wakanda."

UGH THIS IS BORING I'M ADDING ROMANCE

kill me now this is too boring to writeeeee

- Emily <3