Black Panther: Rise of the Princess (COMPLETE)

Chapter 36: T'Challa

I heard a knock on the door, and I opened it to see Okoye standing outside. I glanced around to make sure D'Arku was not nearby, and pulled her into the airlock, where I had been hiding in.

"We have a spy on this ship," I informed her, for of course she knew that something had happened. "Where is D'Arku?"

"Overseeing the vibranium in the cargo hold," she answered, before realizing why I was asking. "Of course he is. What needs to happen?"

I wanted to distance him from the vibranium as soon as possible. He could no longer be trusted with any resources, no matter what they were. I did not want to give away what I knew, though. "Go to the pilot, and tell them to land 50 kilometers into the country. HYDRA is tracking him, and we cannot let him into the city. Go."

She nodded and stalked off, clearly irritated. I imagined that she would have preferred if I had ordered her to kill D'Arku, but I wasn't going to kill him, if I could avoid it. He may be a traitor, but we had a place for traitors, and it was not in the grave. As long as Okoye did not meet D'Arku, though, she should be all right.

We did not have much time. Doubtless HYDRA had upgraded their ships and were prepared to wage war against Wakanda. They had used our resources to build up their army and their weapons, and were not above using them to destroy the people who had unknowingly given it to them.

My initial thought was to call Director Fury and to call off the attack on the ships. I had no disrespect towards him and towards SHIELD, but there was only so much their artillery could do against vibranium. At the same time, though, I knew that their assistance would be useful. Our people had suffered enough from this faction, and I dreaded to order them to fight against HYDRA again.

I opened a line to the Director's phone. Within seconds, he answered it. "Fury."

"Director, I understand that you are planning an attack on eleven ships heading to Wakanda."

The line went silent for a moment. "How did you know about that?"

I smirked. "I have my ways. Soon, I will send you coordinates, and I would appreciate if you would wait to interfere until after the ships reach those coordinates."

"So like an ambush?"

"Yes, Director. I believe it is the best chance we have to defeat HYDRA with the least amount bloodshed."

"These are HYDRA ships? Where are you getting this intel from?"

"Every leader has their secrets," I joked, despite the circumstances. "Thank you, Director."

I hung up before he could ask more about my sources. If I was being completely honest, I did not know how Mr. Parker has found out, but I did not doubt him either.

Walking towards the cargo hold, I thought briefly about what I intended to say to him. We had to know what he knew in order to be able to counter HYDRA effectively. Hopefully he had no way of communicating with his true allies, but if he did, I had to cut him off. If HYDRA found out, all would be lost.

I passed Okoye as I walked. She nodded to me, indicating that the pilot had been spoken with. "Stay close," I ordered, and she trailed behind me, calling other soldiers to join her.

In the cargo hold, D'Arku was not meddling with the vibranium, or doing much other than relaxing and resting. He was startled to see me, but did not appear to be concerned. "Your Majesty, I didn't hear you come in."

I smiled, trying not to give away my caution. "Thank you for coordinating the retrieval," I began. "The operation went smoothly, especially with the given circumstances."

"I was glad to do it, my King," he told me. "I heard about the parade yesterday, and about the losses we suffered. I can't imagine what it must have been like to watch it happen."

Nodding, I looked away. He seemed genuine, but I couldn't believe it, not when Nakia was bedridden and Mother was in a coma.

"Your Majesty," D'Arku asked. "Are you all right?"

"I'm worried," I answered honestly, turning to him. "If you were HYDRA, for what purpose would you attack Wakanda?"

He was offset by the question, but I kept my gaze steady and trained on him. D'Arku straightened up and responded. "Well, HYDRA has been bent of world domination for over a century, haven't they? Ever since World War II, when Captain Rogers defeated them the first time."

"Wakanda would be a logical place to begin," I admitted. "If HYDRA captured our kingdom, one of the strongest forces in their way would be conquered."

"Well, and Wakanda has a lot to offer," D'Arku added. "With the vibranium, and our tech, and..."

He trailed off, but I was not about to allow him to slip away. "And what?"

A wave of panic washed over his face, but it vanished as soon as it appeared. He fidgeted and started again. "Well, I've worked in the royal lab with Princess Shuri, back before the Infinity War. When I left the country to run the outreach centers, she was beginning to research synthetic growth, to see if it was possible. If HYDRA gets their hands on it, there's no telling what could happen."

"Oh, I believe I can tell," I corrected. "If HYDRA gained access to synthetic growth, they could create an army, bred perfectly to their needs."

D'Arku's face paled, which was impressive for an African. Apparently, he had not thought through the consequences to aiding HYDRA until now.

I left the cargo hold, partially to call Shuri to warn her, and partially because I had a feeling that D'Arku would follow me. Okoye and about nine other soldiers were waiting outside.

"Wait here for him," I told her, "and keep him under watch. He does not move until I give the word."

Right on his cue, the door opened again. "Your Majesty, there's something you need to-"

Okoye and the others raised their weapons at him. He recoiled and raised his hands, staring at me with fear in his eyes. I could only show my disappointment.

"I am well aware, D'Arku," I told him. "You can explain yourself at a later time."

Okoye pulled his arm back into the cargo hold. "By order of the King, you are under arrest."