Lost Our Minds |5| The Ascension

Chapter Twenty Four: Civil War - Breaking Out

As soon as the opportunity had presented itself, T'Challa had flown his jet to the Raft to deliver Helmut Zemo to the authorities with all the relevant evidence.

Well, T'Challa and a few friends.

***

"Meals at eight and five," Everett Ross stated, clearly enjoying himself. "Toilet privileges, twice a day. Raise your voice, zap. Touch the glass, zap. You step out of line, you deal with me." He chuckled. "Please, step out of line. Hmm? So, how does it feel? Spending all that time, all that effort, and to see it fail so spectacularly?"

Zemo looked at him, smirking. "Did it?"

***

Just as the surveillance systems for the cells cut out, a familiar noise erupted in the prison area of the Raft. Immediately, the seven prisoners jumped to their feet, their eyes widening. The door creaked open, and McKenzie stepped out, followed by Steve, Bucky, and T'Challa, much to the prisoners' surprise.

T'Challa turned to McKenzie, thanking her for the ride as the others headed to free their friends. She shook her head, smiling. "It was the least I could do, especially after what Shuri did for me. I will be forever indebted to her." A klaxon sounded outside. "You should go, before they find you with us."

T'Challa nodded. "I'll see if I can give you some time. You'll be coming back to Wakanda soon?"

"Well, as soon as we've got this lot out of here," McKenzie nodded, then paused, smiling. "Well, we've got a couple of stops on the way, but don't worry. We'll be there. Thank you."

And with that, T'Challa headed out of the area, going to buy them some time.

"A little help with these locks?" Bucky requested, trying to prise one open.

"Oh, sure," McKenzie grinned and shot each one open with her lasers. "Everyone, into the box. Preferably, do the whole reunited thing once we're inside, yeah?" She rolled her eyes as the two couples continued to kiss. "Guys, please."

"This is totally payback for you and the Doc," Clint pointed out. He winced. "Sorry."

"No, it's fine," she told him, forcing a smile. "I'm just glad you guys are back."

Zosia was the last to go in. "You coming?" she asked, turning in the doorway.

McKenzie bit her lip. "Yeah, of course." She made to follow her daughter in, then changed her mind. "You know what, there's something I need to do. If I'm not back in five minutes, the coordinates are already inputted," she instructed.

Zosia's eyes widened as her mother started to walk away. "But—! Where are you going?!"

The older woman smiled over her shoulder. "Just someone I have to talk to real quick."

***

At the same time, quite a distance away, Tony was trialling a kind of new legs for Rhodey. "That's just a first test," he clarified.

"Yeah," Rhodey nodded.

"Give me some feedback," Tony requested. "Anything you can think of. Shock absorption. Lateral movement. Cup holder?"

"You may want to think about some AC down there," Rhodey advised him.

"Let's go," Tony nodded, seeing he was going to get up. "I'll give you a hand."

"No, no, don't," Rhodey shook his head, holding a hand out. "Don't help me. Don't help me. 138. 138 combat missions. That's how many I've flown, Tony. Every one of them could've been my last, but I flew 'em. To the fight that needed to be fought. It's the same with these Accords. I signed because it was the right thing to do. And, yeah, this sucks. This is..." He sighed. "This is a bad beat. But it hasn't changed my mind. I don't think..." He trailed off.