EVERMORE ─ marvel ⁷

III. Let The Hero Be Saved

Chapter Three
Sam

By the time Jade, Alex, Jo and I reach Wakanda we are very late for a meeting. I leave my girlfriend and friends to start with unpacking while I rush to the palace, Soroya in tow. We have had to be present at every meeting held in Wakanda this past week, even if the thing being discussed didn't need our input or assistance. I guess that's just part of being directors of the Avengers, we are now permanently in the loop of information, for Wakanda and for the world. It's an honor for sure, but it's also exhausting, especially given all we have to do. Wakanda is going through a lot of changes: the border patrol is leaving, all the items stolen, particularly from Shuri's lab, have been returned, and the UN is giving up all oversight on the country, including Everett being their envoy. He's now serving as Zy's advisor, just as T'Challa is now that his time as king has come to an end.

When we enter the throne room of the palace, we indeed find the meeting well underway. Zy is sitting in his throne, his hands resting on his lap, his face creased in thought. On either side of him are T'Challa and Nakia, with Everett, Shuri, Okoye, Khari, and the council members filling their usual seats. Two more seats have been added to the Wakandan council for Soroya and I, it was Zy's suggestion. He felt that since the Avengers will be based here, that their leaders should have a say in what happens in the country. Another seat will be added to the council when the dean of the new enhanced school is decided.

In the middle of the room, right in front of Zy are two hologram projections: one of Naomi Jackson, her arms crossed, and the other of Queen Valkyrie, sitting in her own throne.

Zy smiles at us as we enter the room, quickly making our way to our seats. "Have we missed much?" I ask, glancing at Soroya.

Zy shakes his head. "No, we're just finalizing the plans for the base, prison and school. I want them sent to Secretary Fai today so he can determine the cost."

The United Nations promised to cover the cost of all three buildings and Fai promised to oversee the projects himself, make sure everything runs smoothly. He's been very considerate over the last week and we all know why. He's playing nice and biting his tongue for his daughter, for Jo.

"We are also discussing who will run the prison," Valkyrie explains. "My people have already volunteered to be guards, but we'll need a warden for a prison holding such dangerous enhanced people."

"We also need to decide a dean for the new school." Okoye points out.

"I already have someone in mind for that," Naomi responds. "I think Johnathon would be an excellent dean."

Zy nods in agreement. "Well that's one problem solved. Do you have a candidate in mind for warden, your majesty?"

Valkyrie sighs. "I'll have to think on it more, talk with some of my advisors. Will someone be coming to fetch the plans for Fai or will we be sending them?"

"We'll send someone," Zy replies. "Everett will be in New Asgard shortly, as will my aunt. She knows the amount of supplies we'll need to build, she will discuss it during the meeting with Fai."

"I will be attending the meeting as well," Naomi says. "Johnathon, Matthew, and I are working on getting housing for the F.E.P members and the enhanced being released from jail. Fai promised to assist with this and he hasn't been holding up his end, he's been too busy with everything else."

"You don't need Fai for that, you'll bring all of them here," Zy insists. "We have plenty of room here in Wakanda, and any enhanced person is welcome. How many should we expect?"

"One hundred and twenty by my estimate, and that's just for those who were in prison that want housing. Many are choosing to go off on their own, some still have families who will take them, and I haven't even gotten around to the F.E.P members who need accommodations."