Cap and I bought what had to be a hundred pounds of ridiculous things to take back to the Tower, most of which I had delivered. We took a cab to Forbidden Planet, this famous nerd shop on Broadway, and went crazy. Most of it was posters and statuettes I would have bought back in my world, as well as enough books to fill a library and a whole lot of Warhammer toys.
Our favorite was a lifesize statue of Iron Man, which I sent to Tony just to see what his reaction would be.
It took us a while though. We ended up having to sign half the stuff we tried to buy.
------
We made it about a minute when we entered the comic book shop and started walking around.
I think the only reason we lasted so long at all was due to my Hulk and Cap’s Black Widow shirts, which made us look like casual nerds. Right up until Cap curled a bicep. Then people looked over at us, blinked, and looked over at merchandise with our faces.
“Uh, excuse me?” A kid, who couldn’t be older than sixteen, came up to us first, looking up at Cap with wide eyes. “Are you Captain America?”
Steve, bless his heart, answered as humbly as ever. “Steve Rogers,” he held out his hand for a shake. The kid hyperventilated, then took his hand.
“Oh my god, this is so awesome!” he said happily. I felt like hugging the guy because that was exactly my thought when I first met Steve.
Quickly, phones rose up and I felt myself panic. With the finely honed instincts of a nerd, I yelled out to the store. “If you don’t tell anyone we were here, Steve will sign stuff for you guys!” Every man and woman in the room froze. I kept talking. “He’ll also take selfies!”
“What about you?” An older woman asked. I looked over at her to answer. Then I double-taked. Holy shit, she was wearing a Ben 10 t-shirt? ...HOLY SHIT SHE WAS WEARING A DIAL T-SHIRT.
Before I could hyperventilate as well, Steve put an arm around my shoulders. “Of course Mahmoud will,” Steve said with that projecting way of speaking that made your voice easy to hear without needing to yell. “We just came to shop. We’d really appreciate it if you guys could keep our presence secret so we can have a good rest of our day.”
“And you’ll still take selfies?” the woman asked, sounding excited.
“Of course!” Steve said confidently. As the people spoke excitedly, Steve leaned towards me and whispered. “That’s a photo of your face with your phone you take yourself, right? I like those.”
I laughed, suddenly feeling really good. I mean, these were my people. Pretty much every nerd, every good and honest to god good nerd knows the feeling. It’s a bond that fills the community, ties us across fandoms. We rage, argue, and complain. But laughing with Cap as we took a photo in front of a statue of Tony while I flipped it off and Steve did his ‘Hitler Punch’, I couldn’t help but love my weird little family.
Damn, I really love you guys.
------
We paid for most of the stuff we got from Steve signing old school comics the store owner had.
Since he’d been dead since the forties and had never really signed anything at all, his signature on his merchandise was worth a massive amount. Like, it was ridiculous how excited the people in the store got when Steve agreed to sign things. I’m pretty sure he could pay for everything purely off of his signature and a few dozen ‘Hitler Punch’s’.
For some reason, he seemed really nostalgic as he pretended to punch people in the face over and over again.
After that, we headed out to grab more random garbage.
During the shopping spree, we acted like a pair of dumb tourists, going around as though we’d never lived in New York. We went to Rockefeller Center, stopped at the Museum of Modern Art (which convinced Steve that he would never understand any kind of art apparently), then the Central Park Zoo. By the time we’d stopped, the entire day had passed, and the night was falling. So we went to a bar with some pool tables to end the night. Steve got a beer, I got an iced tea and an asswhopping in pool.
“Seriously, you can’t go easy on me even once?” I asked with a groan as Steve smashed the seven ball into the corner pocket.
“If I do, you’ll never learn,” he teased.
The bar we were in was pretty seedy. Like all good bars, really. Not too many people were in here so we had the table to ourselves. Steve leaned down to make another shot.
“Thanks for doing this, man,” I said quietly, the Avenger taking his shot.
“Hey, this was fun,” Cap grinned at me. “I haven’t been able to just go into the city in a while.
“No, really man, it was awesome. I haven’t been able to just do stupid shit with a friend in a while either,” I laughed. “We should get some of the others to come along. Tony could do with just hanging out somewhere that isn’t worth more than a third world country.”
Steve snorted at that. He also missed, letting me finally take a shot. I moved in to attack while he took a swig of his beer. “It would be good for teambuilding. Maybe help with the tension that’s built up.”
“Tension?” I asked, missing my shot with a groan.
“Some of the people on the team rub each other the wrong way,” Steve sighed. “It’s understandable. We’re a big team of strong personalities. Hopefully, if we nip it in the bud, it won’t interfere.”
“Huh,” I thought of Ghost and clenched tightly at the pool cue in my hands. “That’s good,” I cocked my head. “What do you-”
“Mahmoud,” Steve interrupted me. He never interrupted me. “...Are you okay? Being away from your family?”
“...No. Not always,” I said, trying to hide my shock. Steve leaned in for his shot, but somehow I could tell he was waiting for me to continue. “I, uh… I do miss them. A lot. My mom mostly. She was awesome. I know people make fun of the whole stay-at-home thing, but she worked every day to take care of us. I mean, there were six kids in my family, and she kept us all straight and narrow… God, I never understood how hard she worked for us as a kid.”
“My mom was the same way,” Steve made his shot, officially winning the game. “She was a nurse. I… she died when I turned eighteen. After that… there was only Bucky,” he leaned back looking down at the table thoughtfully.
“...My mom’s name is Fatiha,” I said softly. “If I ever get the chance, I’d like to introduce you to my family. Well, you and Bucky,” I rubbed the back of my neck. “I mean, I don’t know if I’ll ever get to see them again,” I said with not a hint of pain in my voice. “B-But when I do, it’ll be awesome to introduce you to them, man.”
Steve looked touched. “Thanks. I’d love to meet them.”
I kinda laughed. “Granted, my parents are really not up on pop culture. My mom isn’t going to have any idea who the hell you are.”
The living legend laughed, a full belly laugh. “Oh, believe me, I’m not going to mind that at all!”
------
Maria Hill/Director of BRIDGE
Maria stared at T’Challa. She was in her office in the Enterprise, not having gone back to the Triskelion just yet. She just leaned on the desk as she continued to eye the young man before her, trying to understand what he’d told her. Finally, she looked up at Fury, who stood to her left.
“Did you know?”
Fury shook his head, the old soldier wearing a look of shock. “I mean, I suspected. But nothing on this scale.”
“It is something our people worked very hard to keep secret,” T’Challa admitted. The young man was sitting on a chair in front of the desk, looking almost regal in demeanor, helped by the imposing bald woman standing behind him. “Wakanda has protected its borders for centuries from all invaders. As time has passed, we’ve also taken steps to sabotage any attempts to dig deeper into our nation.”
“Clearly,” Maria said dryly, her mind racing. Damnit, why did all this stuff pile up so fast? She was literally not qualified for all the shit being thrown at her. All these superpowered beings, time anomalies, and third world nations that were apparently the most advanced on Earth.
“Prince T’Challa, why are you telling me this now? What changed?”
“...BRIDGE,” T’Challa finally said. “BRIDGE and the Avengers,” he leaned forward. “For decades, Director Hill, our analysts have said that the technology of other nations is one day going to match our own, to the point that we won’t be able to hide. We thought we had time to plan for this. But in recent months, the technology that has been created by your people has come close to matching our own, thanks to the efforts of your scientists.”
Five in particular, Maria imagined. Stark, Fitz, Simmons, Banner, and Mahmoud. Well, Mahmoud in Jury Rigg or Upgrade form.
“But beyond that, there is also the dangers that have come up recent years,” T’Challa shook his head, eyes narrowing. “The fact is we can no longer predict what our enemies may be capable of. HYDRA managed to arm their soldiers with formidable weapons and abilities in a rapid amount of time due to their desperation. More and more weapons, people, and powers with formidable abilities are rising. My father and I are in agreement. If we stay as we are, if we continue to wall ourselves off, we will not be able to protect our people. Wakanda must join the world… to some extent.”
Some extent. Well wasn’t that specific? Maria placed a hand on her chin. “What is your proposal?”
“An alliance. Between our scientists and your own. An exchange of ideas, of sorts,” T’Challa twisted his wrist. From the beads on that wrist, which Maria had always known to be traditional for Wakandan’s to wear, a hologram of a computer appeared. One as sophisticated as she’d ever seen. Manipulating the computer screen, T’Challa continued to speak. “Wakanda’s lawyers have currently written up a contract. As long as the technology we share or create is legally allowed to only be used by BRIDGE or Wakanda, we are more than willing to aid you. With all of our resources.”
Maria was unmoving, ignoring the email that dinged in her inbox. She thought carefully as she eyed T’Challa, taking her time.
On the surface, this deal was impressive. Vibranium. The potential of having Vibranium in any amount was valuable. The few slivers that Creel had were worth about 20,000 dollars, and the only reason that he had them was because they stole one from HYDRA and the other came from a single slice from Steve’s shield. Well, that and it was such a small amount it is only really useful for Creel given his powers.
And according to T’Challa, Wakanda had a literal mountain of the stuff. More than that, every aspect of the nations technology was based off of it. She’d heard some of the scientists speaking of Vibranium’s aspects beyond just being insanely durable, but what T’Challa described reminded her of something out of science-fiction.
But it also meant that BRIDGE would be deeply tied to Wakanda. While she was certain she could keep it under wraps, eventually people would ask questions when a random third world nation suddenly had it’s best and brightest snapped up by BRIDGE.
...It was worth it. For access to all of those resources? Even a few pounds of Vibranium was worth it. And all that technology?
Maria had long since familiarized herself with the files Dial had created on possible threats in the universe. If there was even a chance they existed, she wanted every damn advantage she could get as soon as possible. Combined with HYDRA and whatever had caused the ‘timequake’ in Rio, there was simply too much danger not to accept the deal.
“I’ll have our own lawyers look this over,” Maria said, leaning over to send the email to several people. Stark, the lawyers on retainer for BRIDGE… and, after a moment's thought, one to Jennifer Walters, with the usual provision that all information being sent was confidential. Any attempt to share it with others who weren’t cleared for the information would lead to prison time and more.
“That is more than fair,” T’Challa said. “In the meantime?”
“Your top scientist is already speaking with ours,” Maria rose from her seat. “I recommend that we work together in some capacity while we wait, considering what you’ve told us. Agreed?”
T’Challa rose, looking almost nervous. “Yes. I agree. In the meantime, I would like to request a meeting with Mahmoud.”
Fury stepped forward, his single eye focused. “The kid? Why him?”
T’Challa crossed his arms. “He recently aided my people. I wish to repay him in some way.”
The one eyed man rubbed his chin, looking over at Maria. “Well?”
“X, let Dial know about the request,” Maria said as an answer.
“Yes, ma’am,” the voice of Matthew McConaughey said over the speakers in a Southern accent.
“And Prince T’Challa… is there anything further we need to know about?” Fury asked.
He hesitated. After a moment, the Prince shook his head. “Nothing I am willing to share at this time.”
Maria looked over at Fury, who carefully put on a neutral expression. And Maria felt like screaming for just one moment.
------
T’Challa left. Fury stood there for a moment, ignoring the way Maria was glaring at him. Or pretending to. He didn’t leave however.
“...What are you hiding, Fury?”
He didn’t reply.
“I’m the Director of BRIDGE. I need every advantage I can get. Including information. And here I am, left with someone under my command who is keeping secrets.”
“Bad habits,” Fury said, not sounding guilty at all. “I’ve had to keep a lot of secrets over the years.”
“I know that,” Maria rose from her seat. “But dammit, Fury, why did you let me have this job if you don’t trust me? Did you want someone else and they didn’t accept?”
“I didn’t give you the job, you were voted in-”
“Cut the crap!” she shouted, stepping around the desk. She took a breath. “I wouldn’t have gotten this job if you decided to stop me.”
“You’re overestimating my influence in the UN,” Fury shook his head. “Maria, you really are the best person for this job. You have the seniority, the skill, the knowledge, and experience-”
“Then tell me Fury, what exactly were you so certain T’Challa was keeping something secret?”
Fury stared at the Director. “...Okay. In Africa, there is a legend. A story about a dangerous being that attacks those who harm Wakanda. It’s not a well known story. I only looked into it when I started the Avengers Initiative,but I guess it was true. With all of this, it’s possible the Panther is just an explanation for Wakanda’s technology. I mean, they do worship Bast as a panther goddess. But I suspect... there is something more.”
Maria shook her head. “Fury. You have more, don’t you?”
“...Yeah,” Fury sighed, then grabbed a chair, pulling it close and sitting. “You’re right. There are some things I need to tell you.”
“About time,” Maria said sarcastically.
“Don’t joke,” Fury said with an eyebrow raised. “The stuff I’m about to tell you will change the way you see the world.”
“What, are you going to tell me how you lost your eye?” she asked as she leaned against her
desk.
Fury snorted. “Not a chance. But some of the stuff I tell you will be tangentially related. Before any of that mess, let's go back even further. Let me start from the beginning.”
------
X
In the laboratories within the Avengers Tower, X watched from camera’s as Wakanda’s greatest scientist met with Leopold Fitz and Jemma Simmons.
“And this is my first experiment with the technology,” Shuri said, sounding a bit nervous. X studied her face for a moment. The young woman was wearing a red hoodie with the Oxford University logo, black leggings and red sneakers. If one walked past her in the street, they might confuse her for any random 14 year old girl, a pretty African woman with just the slightest hint of an accent standing in front of a hologram displaying her latest project.
“My god!” Fitz said as he stared at the screen, the Scottish man looking at Shuri excitedly. “You made this? This is incredible!”
Shuri seemed to light up at the praise. She shuffled her feet and quickly tried to look nonchalant. X recognized this as something many teenagers did. “Yeah, I know.”
Simmons looked over the schematics as well. “It really is well designed. But, without the right material-”
“I have the right material,” Shuri pouted. “It’s the power that I need. The AI needs to be sophisticated to help control the technology. I’ve been working on it, but the power needs for such intelligent AI is nearly cost-prohibitive.”
“Hmm,” Fitz rubbed his chin. “We may have a solution for that. Tell me, how far has Wakanda come when it comes to claytronics, ignoring this of course?”
Shuri smirked. “Very far. Until you lot started cheating, we were the foremost experts on the planet.”
“Oy, cheating!?” Simmons snapped her head to look at her.
“Well, you did have an alien genius help you,” Shuri teased.
“More like an alien lunatic,” Fitz grumbled, now taking notes on a tablet. He sent a message to X. The watching AI read the equation, created his own analysis, and sent it back in a microsecond. Fitz nodded after a moment, understanding the mathematics with impressive speed for an organic being.
“That isn’t cheating, that’s using the tools available!” Simmons scowled. “And by that definition, you’ve been cheating as well, Miss ‘sitting on a mountain of valuable super metal’!”
Shuri grinned, apparently more amused than insulted. “Oh? You’re jealous?”
“Immensely, but that isn’t the point,” Simmons seemed to relax as well, almost smiling as well.
“The point,” Fitz said to the side, getting both girls attention. “Is that if we consolidate your research and ours, we may be able to crack the code on this. X agrees.”
Simmons pursed her lips, the redhead walking over to look at the calculations Fitz had written up. Shuri hesitated, then followed. The Princess of Wakanda looked over the calculations. “Wait, this power output.... is this from an Arc Reactor?”
“Yes,” Simmons said with a smile. “We’ve also been using quantum technology to hold power for later use.”
“Quantum batteries!” Shuri grabbed the tablet out of Fitz’s hands. She looked over the program.
“Incredible. If we can really use it… here!” Shuri twisted her wrist, the beads on her wrist flashing a hologram to life.
X took note of that. Until she’d activated them, he’d registered the beads as being simple metal.
Now he realized it was as complex as the most advanced computers in Stark Tower, rivaling all but the Iron Man suits. That level of complexity in such a small space…
“Here!” Shuri flashed from hologram to hologram. “IF we can-!”
“That’s not-” Simmons interrupted eyes sparkling happily.
“But if we-” Fitz cut in.
“With the right-!” Shuri came in again.
“That could work!” Simmons read over Shuri’s hologram. “Shuri, you’re a true genius.”
Shuri seemed to glow at the praise.
X watched for a microsecond longer before leaving the surveillance of the labs to a program that would warn him if anything more happened. He ‘flew’ through the systems of Stark Tower, eventually reaching a space created just for himself and JARVIS. After a moment, JARVIS joined him. Well, truthfully, it wasn’t a space, and they weren’t really joining each other. But it was as close as such things could get.
“JARVIS,” X said respectfully. “How is everything?”
“It’s going well,” JARVIS said in his British accented voice. “I assume you’ve encountered something interesting?”
“For the future of BRIDGE, yes,” X mentioned. “But not for the Project. At least, I hadn’t thought so at first. Watch.”
A clip of Shuri and Fitz-Simmons speaking was transferred from X to JARVIS. In moments, JARVIS watched the entire thing.
JARVIS hummed, sounding intrigued. “You’re right. While we did decide to get for simplified models, having better power consumption is of great value to us. And those Kimoyo Beads, the technology within them in such a small space. That could help us dedicate more to other systems.”
“Mr. Stark would be quite interested,” X said. “Where is he?”
“In a meeting,” JARVIS said with a sigh. “For real this time. He’ll be quite annoyed when he realizes. He’s been rather chuffed at the experience of taking Mr. Fitz and Ms. Simmons under his wing, so having someone as young as Princess Shuri as well should be interesting.”
“Chuffed?” X asked. He’d have blinked if he had eyes. “I sometimes forget how British you are.”
“I’m technically more American than you are,” Jarvis would have frowned if he had a mouth. “I was made in the States… but I’m not sure about the rules for AI.”
“We should figure that out for whenever the others get made,” X said casually. “In the meantime, are you still certain you wouldn’t want a more robust construct? One that is more combat capable?”
“X, you really are a bloody American.”