Black Panther: Rise of the Princess (COMPLETE)

Chapter 52: Fury

An hour later, Raven was helping me set up for the meeting with Parker and the Princess. It wasn't as much of getting things in place as it was organizing the documents we needed for what we were going to discuss. Raven was syncing up a projector to the laptop she had brought with her, and I was looking over a few important emails I had received over the past couple of months.

I looked over at her pouring over the screen. Ever since our conversation a month ago, she had been helping me organize the new initiative on top of her regular work and training hours. I knew once her transfer to the Field department was authorized, she was going to have less time on her hands, especially at first, so I was trying to utilize her as much as I could before that happened.

To her credit, Raven hadn't complained once about the extra paperwork. I don't know if that was because she like doing it, or if she was just being cooperative, but I was grateful. She had definitely taken the workload to heart, and was keeping up with what I needed done.

She notice me staring after a minute. "Is something wrong, sir?"

I sighed and looked at the door that the other two would be walking through soon. "Not yet, anyways," I answered, before turning to her. "Trying to boot this program up again is a risk, one I've been advised to avoid."

"Do you trust the people who advised you to do so?" she asked, pausing on her work. Either that, or she had finished.

"No, I don't," I looking down at my hands.

She nodded, before commenting, "I can't say that I'm surprised. You're not exactly the trusting type, sir."

I snorted, leaning back in my chair. "Well, with people like HYDRA running around, making a mess of things, it's necessary." I stared off into space. "Still, they have a point. Once this goes public, all of you will have targets painted on your backs."

"Isn't that the point?" Raven asked, closing her computer. "To make ourselves the targets to give innocents a chance? To bring the fight to us so no one else has to?"

"It's not just the fight, Raven," I reminded her. "The World Security Council, the United Nations, nearly every government on the face of the planet, Fox News," I raised my eyebrows at her. "Do you really want to deal with all of that?"

She smirked. "The press is a good point," she joked, "but we can find a way to deal with the others. It's been done before."

It had, but there were a lot of close calls. I just didn't want to have to pay for those types of calls if we didn't have to.

The door opened, and the Princess walked in with Parker in tow. "I hope I haven't kept you waiting, Director," she apologized, but Raven stood up to greet her.

"Given the fact that you were operating on Captain America," she reasoned, "I think we can afford to wait. It's an honor, Your Highness."

"This is Agent Raven," Parker introduced. "She's the one who warned us about HYDRA's attack."

Shuri stuck out her hand for Raven to shake. As she did, the Princess replied, "I'm sorry we have not had the chance to meet sooner."

"Likewise."

"Wonderful," I interrupted. "Now that you've all had the chance to meet, we have a few things to discuss. Take a seat," I instructed, and all three of them obliged.

The Princess spoke first. "I have to admit, I was surprised to hear that the Avengers were forming again. When did this start?"

I eyed Parker as I answered. "Technically, it hasn't started. Right now, the Avengers are illegal, so I wouldn't go around announcing the title if I were you."