The Ambassador's Daughter

Chapter 10

June 17th dawned drizzly and somewhat miserable if you were unfortunate enough to be caught outside. T'Challa stood at the window in his office staring out at the rain. It had been over a month since Louise had graced his halls. He would never admit to anyone how much he missed her vibrant personality. He hoped that she would return soon. Steve was just not good company these days. Too anxious. A knock at the door pulled T'Challa back to the present. "Enter," he called, moving to stand behind his desk. A very out of breath aide rushed into the office.

"You're Majesty," The aide gasped, trying to catch his breath while bowing, "They've finally collected the amount of Vibranium you requested! It is being sent to you immediately." T'Challa could not conceal his pleasure at the information.

"Thank you. You will personally oversee the arrival and be sure it is all accounted for and taken up to the workshop. Dismissed." The aide bowed again and turned on his heel running out the door to follow his orders. T'Challa reached over and picked up his phone. His hand paused over the dial. Last week, T'Challa had sent Louise her new duplicate phone, so hopefully she was free to talk. But the fact that her phone had been compromised once, and by her own father, was a cause for concern. On the other hand, he needed her back.

He dialed her number and waited as it rang. "Hello?" T'Challa had never heard anything as beautiful as her voice right then.

"Miss Louise, this is King T'Challa." T'Challa responded, "It's here, Miss."

"Really?" Louise cried, T'Challa could hear the excitement and relief in her voice. "Do you actually have it? You know what, it doesn't even matter. I'm on my way. I can't believe it!" She squealed so loudly T'Challa had to hold the receiver away from his ear. He smiled.

"I know, Miss Louise, neither can I. I look forward to your visit." T'Challa hung up the phone and left the room. T'Challa found Steve in the gym, beating the sawdust out of yet another punching bag.

Steve looked up. He noted the excited look in T'Challa's eyes. Steve perked up too. "Do we have the Vibranium? Is she coming back?" T'Challa nodded.

"She says she is on her way. The Vibranium is not here yet, but it should be shortly." T'Challa smiled. "Come with me, I am going to pay a visit to the workshop. I'm sure the engineers will be pleased to hear the news as well."

Steve laughed and grabbed a towel. "They will all love hearing the news about the Vibranium. The news that Louise is coming back? Well, I can think of at least two engineers that will be less than thrilled with that news." T'Challa laughed, too.

It had been no secret that Louise disliked the two male engineers on the job. T'Challa could see why. They had little respect for her and her abilities. They had teamed up and actively tried to dissuade T'Challa and Doctor Tung' Ala from using Louise's clever designs. But eventually they had agreed to follow her plans. It was obviously the best plan that had been presented. Dr. Pompous-Pants and Dr. Holier-Than-Thou did not like Louise any more than she liked them. But she, at least, was willing to pretend to play nice with them. They struggled accepting that a young woman, who hadn't yet received her mechanical engineering degree, could be as smart (if not smarter than) they were. It rubbed them wrong. But it was amusing to everyone else how threatened these men, at the top of their field, were by this twenty-one year old student.

Steve and T'Challa had reached the workshop. They entered the room and the three engineers looked up. Doctor Tang' Ala smiled up at the two men. "Good morning, gentlemen, I hope you come bearing good news?" She motioned to the table, "As you can see, we have completely exhausted the Vibranium that you gave us at our first meeting, Sire." T'Challa smiled and looked over their work. They had made excellent progress, but there was still a little more than half the arm to complete. As he watched, Dr. Pompous-Pants put the last bit of the Vibranium in place.