Eclipse (Born at Dusk - Book 1)

14

September 18th, 2025

"Kate," Shuri called across her lab. "Come here, I'd like you to meet someone." Brushing her hands on her pants, Kate met Shuri across the room.

After agreeing to work with Shuri, Kate was given residency in Wakanda. Since then, she has spent the better part of her days in Shuri's lab, learning of the modern technology in her world.

Kate had spent days second guessing herself, truly wondering if she really had escaped Hydra. She wasn't convinced, but Shuri was true to her word in offering choice and compliance in her city.

Kate spent weeks studying and learning not only of the new technology, but of the history. Apparently, she had missed the better part of several wars, and a mass genocide through the entire galaxy. She missed incredibly important figures such as Steve Rogers and his shocker of a resurrection in the early 2000's. She'd spent almost too long studying Tony Stark, the only son of the assassinated Howard Stark, and what he was to the world. She don't dwell on the last time she was in Russia, in 1991 when she witnessed the order for her best friends assassination.

It seemed as if each corner of the world had its separate parts of 'power'. She made it her mission to know and understand every individual that planted themselves on earth's radar. Which included people like Stephen Strange, Thor Odinson, Phil Coulson, and Bruce Banner to name a few.

The world continued on, and even though half its occupants disappeared, countries were still recovering as well as ever.

Kate wasn't entirely convinced she was out of any form of prison. She had a residency that was more than spacious for her, allowing her a thirty minute walk to Shuri's lab each sunrise and sunset. She ate better than she had since she was twenty, which wasn't much, and didn't suspect foul play on Wakanda's part.

Shuri assured her the contract consisted of nothing but her support and residency in exchange for learning and showing Shuri what she knew. A lot of which were old tactics that were outdated, but were now somehow possible with the needed technology.

Kate hardly slept, usually researching or engineering something of her own in her apartment. It was primarily to avoid the nightmares that kept her up anyway, only allowing her a handful of hours to sleep each night. But, it gave her enough time to think and learn.

Shuri had no motive in keeping Kate captive, she ruled one of the most powerful and efficient countries in the world. There was no reason for her to claim a retired assassin from Hydra files. She herself had fought alongside Tony Stark during the battle of Earth. Kate had researched their opponents armies: the Black Order, Chitauri, Sakaaran, and the Outrider armies, all of which were led by Thanos. She learned of the war's context, and what it took to save the universe. Tony Stark's brilliance was the sole reason they were able to accomplish such a feat.

Who said engineers and scientists didn't rule the world.

Kate knew that Shuri was true to her word, but instinct told her to not yet trust anyone or anything. The only thing she could trust was the work she did with Shuri, the only real proven thing to not fail her.

Shuri's lab was likely the most high security, high tech, and most advanced in the world. The privilege to work inside it reminded Kate she couldn't screw up what Shuri had to offer.

Today, Kate was working on the blueprints for Bucky's arm, surprisingly. Several days prior, Kate asked how she was able to create such a technologically advanced piece, a Vibranium one at that. The technology of the old one was incredibly advanced, even for Shuri, and it was the most outdated creation to exist. Pleased that she still had the gift, Kate agreed to review blueprint models for each arm that was designed for Bucky.