Tao moved her hands and a portal appeared as she faded away into the mirror dimension. While Wolf, Crow and Cat disappeared from their spots leaving Ezekiel and Erik alone with their prisoner. Ezekiel pushed Klaue forward through the portal as Erik followed behind him. Once they stepped through the portal, it snapped closed behind them.
Erik took a quick look around and couldn’t see the others anywhere and asked, “Can you disappear like that too?”
Ezekiel shook his head, then pointed in a direction as he said, “Not yet, I still have a lot of training left to do. Lets move out, I think we have about a half an hour hike before we get to the village.”
Erik nodded his head and started to walk in front of Ezekial and Klaue. They walked in silence for almost twenty minutes before they left the forest and were greeted by a field of ankle high grass.
In the distance was a small village of huts surrounded by a fence made of logs. The early morning sun was still low in the sky and painted the whole area in a rosy radiance. As soon as Ezekiel and his group exited the forest, people in the village noticed the three people walking towards the village.
Within a moment a few people who carried spears left the village and met Ezekiel's group about halfway to the village from the forest. A man stepped out of the group from the village, he was decently tall with dark skin and had a scarification done to his face. It was a pattern of ten dots and they went from his ears, to almost under his nose.
The man eyed them wearily, the boy seemed the most out of place for walking through the forest surrounding the village. The other two men looked better equipped for hiking through a forest. But both of them were odd, one of the men was bound with a face covering. The other man wore tactical gear and a white and red mask.
K'Tedimu planted his spear in front of himself as he said in English, “You’ve just entered Wakanda, our borders are closed to outsiders. You will have to turn around and leave at once.”
Erik looked at the man in front of him as he said, “I am N'Jadaka son of N'Jobu. I have come to my father's homeland to visit for the first time."
Erik then pointed to the bound man as he said, "From my understanding this person is a criminal of Wakanda and the other person is Bear, a friend of mine."
The man looked a little shocked hearing the name N'Jobu, he was the king’s brother who had gone missing over six years ago. As the man was looking at the teenager in front of him, the man in the mask named Bear brought the bound man forward.
K'Tedimu and his men tensed up slightly but as the masked man Bear pulled off the other man's head covering they stopped. K'Tedimu was the first to react as he asked, “Is that Ulysses Klaue?”
N'Jadaka nodded his head as he said, “Yes, he was captured by my men this morning.”
K'Tedimu bowed his head deeply and said, “I am K'Tedimu, leader of the border tribe. Wakanda is in your debt for bringing us Klaue.”
N'Jadaka smiled and lifted up his fathers ring as he said, “K'Tedimu, this was my fathers ring. Is this good enough to prove that I am N'Jobu's son?”
K'Tedimu nodded just slightly as he said, “Yes it should help you, but I am sure people will also want a blood test done.”
N'Jadaka reached up and pulled his lower lip down to show the war dog mark on his lip. K'Tedimu’s eyes widened just a little bit at that before he said, “That will also help you.”
K'Tedimu glanced at the man named Bear as he said, “We still don’t allow outsiders inside the borders, we have secrets to keep.”
“I have already told Bear everything my father told me about Wakanda, he goes wherever I go.”
K'Tedimu had a shocked look as he glanced between N'Jadaka and Bear. He then settled his firm gaze on N'Jadaka and said, “Telling an outsider those secrets could get you in a lot of trouble. I will allow him to accompany you for now, after he is checked for weapons. But it will be up to other people if he is allowed to stay with you the whole time.”
Erik nodded his head as he said, “Bear let them check you for weapons.”
Bear let go of Klaue and then stood with his arms and legs apart. One of the men took a hold of Klaue while the other man did a thorough search of Bear. When he found nothing he moved back to K'Tedimu and nodded his head as he passed him. K'Tedimu looked at the man named Bear and said, “You will need to remove your mask Mr. Bear."
Bear looked towards N'Jadaka for orders, N'Jadaka looked back and said, “You can remove your mask.”
When Bear removed his mask, N'Jadaka was glad he was facing the other way. The man under the mask looked nothing like Ezekiel normally did. Sure his hair was black, but everything else was different. His face was covered in scar’s, his eyes had a hard edge to them like he was always looking for the next threat. Bear nodded his head to N'Jadaka as he clipped his mask to his vest.
K'Tedimu and his men took in the man named Bear and were instantly more on edge. With the mask on they didn’t notice it, but with the mask off they could see the man's hard eyes. He looked at K'Tedimu and his men like they weren’t a threat to him. K'Tedimu decided he would make sure he was always a full spear length away from Bear, just in case.
K'Tedimu looked back at N'Jadaka and said, “Come with us to the village, I need to make a report and get some transport for us.”
N'Jadaka nodded in reply as he and Bear started to walk towards the village. It didn’t take long for them to reach the village and they were shown a hut to use while they waited for transport.
Erik wanted to ask Bear some questions, but as he went to speak Bear shook his head. Erik took the hint and decided to ask his questions later after they returned to the base.
They didn’t have to wait long before their transport arrived. It was a cloaked Royal Talon Fighter which made no sound and couldn't be seen at all. Only when the rear ramp opened up could you tell that something was there.
Out of the back, seven Dora Milaje appeared and walked down the exposed ramp of the plane. One of the women went straight to K'Tedimu and started talking to him.
It wasn't long before K'Tedimu pointed towards the hut which N'Jadaka and Bear currently resided in. The woman looked over at the hut for a moment as she talked to K'Tedimu. After a few minutes of conversation, K'Tedimu and the woman walked over to N'Jadaka and Bear's hut.
K'Tedimu entered the hut and brought out N'Jadaka and Bear. Once outside the woman said, “I am Owibiah of the Dora Milaje, K'Tedimu said you claimed to be the son of the king's missing brother N’Jobu. You will have to come with us so we can verify your claims.”
She glanced at the man next to Erik as she said, “Your friend can join you for now. But be warned, if he makes one false move we will not hesitate to detain him or kill him depending on his actions. Is that understood?”
N'Jadaka nodded his head as he said, “Bear won’t attack unless he thinks my life's in danger. Otherwise he is just like a giant teddy bear. Isn't that right, bear?"
Bear nodded in reply. Owibiah eyed the man for a few seconds more, then Owibiah glanced behind her as she said, "Bring the scanner."
Two more Dora Milaje walked over carrying a device between them. They placed it on the ground and stood on each side of it. Owibiah touched some beads on her wrist and the device expanded open.
It looked like a metal doorway, in place of a door, there was a neon blue light that covered the opening. Owibiah glanced at Erik and Bear as she said, "Each of you take turns standing in the middle of the scanner. I will tell you when to leave it."
Erik glanced at Bear for a moment before he stepped forward into the opening. Owibiah touched the beads on her wrist and a small holographic screen appeared in front of her. She touched it a few times and the light in the doorway began to change colors a few times. When it went back to blue Owibiah said, "You can switch places with your friend now."
Erik stepped out of the doorway as he said, "Your turn Bear."
Bear stepped forward into the doorway and the process repeated but took twice as long. Once finished Owibiah studied the screen for a few minutes before she turned to K'Tedimu and said, “Get Klaue, we need to Scan him before heading back.”
K'Tedimu’s men brought out Klaue who now had different cuffs on. His blind fold, gag and ear protection was removed and he had a smile on his face. When he saw Bear with his distinct red and white mask he frowned.
When they walked close Klaue said, "You fucked up thinking you could make friends with Wakanda. These people are savages and they don't tolerate outsiders like us. You should have just been happy buying the vibranium I had."
Bear just looked at Klaue who started to smile again as he said, "Well doesn't matter, you paid me. When I get out of here I will be set for life."
K'Tedimu pushed Klaue into the doorway as he said, "You won't be going anywhere, now shut up."
As the device started to scan Klaue he said, "I escaped once before, I can do it again sweetheart."
A heavy Russian accent was heard as Bear said, "Your bank accounts were drained."
Klaue lost his smile as the device finished working. As he was pulled out of the device he looked at Bear and said, "You really know how to kick a man when he's down, don't you?"
Owibiah glanced at Klaue as she said, "Load him in the ship and if he keeps talking, I want him gagged."
Owibiah glanced at Erik and Bear as she said, "Everyone is cleared, let's go get your blood work done."
Tao moved her hands and a portal appeared as she faded away into the mirror dimension. While Wolf, Crow and Cat disappeared from their spots leaving Ezekiel and Erik alone with their prisoner. Ezekiel pushed Klaue forward through the portal as Erik followed behind him. Once they stepped through the portal, it snapped closed behind them.
Erik took a quick look around and couldn’t see the others anywhere and asked, “Can you disappear like that too?”
Ezekiel shook his head, then pointed in a direction as he said, “Not yet, I still have a lot of training left to do. Lets move out, I think we have about a half an hour hike before we get to the village.”
Erik nodded his head and started to walk in front of Ezekial and Klaue. They walked in silence for almost twenty minutes before they left the forest and were greeted by a field of ankle high grass.
In the distance was a small village of huts surrounded by a fence made of logs. The early morning sun was still low in the sky and painted the whole area in a rosy radiance. As soon as Ezekiel and his group exited the forest, people in the village noticed the three people walking towards the village.
Within a moment a few people who carried spears left the village and met Ezekiel's group about halfway to the village from the forest. A man stepped out of the group from the village, he was decently tall with dark skin and had a scarification done to his face. It was a pattern of ten dots and they went from his ears, to almost under his nose.
The man eyed them wearily, the boy seemed the most out of place for walking through the forest surrounding the village. The other two men looked better equipped for hiking through a forest. But both of them were odd, one of the men was bound with a face covering. The other man wore tactical gear and a white and red mask.
K'Tedimu planted his spear in front of himself as he said in English, “You’ve just entered Wakanda, our borders are closed to outsiders. You will have to turn around and leave at once.”
Erik looked at the man in front of him as he said, “I am N'Jadaka son of N'Jobu. I have come to my father's homeland to visit for the first time."
Erik then pointed to the bound man as he said, "From my understanding this person is a criminal of Wakanda and the other person is Bear, a friend of mine."
The man looked a little shocked hearing the name N'Jobu, he was the king’s brother who had gone missing over six years ago. As the man was looking at the teenager in front of him, the man in the mask named Bear brought the bound man forward.
K'Tedimu and his men tensed up slightly but as the masked man Bear pulled off the other man's head covering they stopped. K'Tedimu was the first to react as he asked, “Is that Ulysses Klaue?”
N'Jadaka nodded his head as he said, “Yes, he was captured by my men this morning.”
K'Tedimu bowed his head deeply and said, “I am K'Tedimu, leader of the border tribe. Wakanda is in your debt for bringing us Klaue.”
N'Jadaka smiled and lifted up his fathers ring as he said, “K'Tedimu, this was my fathers ring. Is this good enough to prove that I am N'Jobu's son?”
K'Tedimu nodded just slightly as he said, “Yes it should help you, but I am sure people will also want a blood test done.”
N'Jadaka reached up and pulled his lower lip down to show the war dog mark on his lip. K'Tedimu’s eyes widened just a little bit at that before he said, “That will also help you.”
K'Tedimu glanced at the man named Bear as he said, “We still don’t allow outsiders inside the borders, we have secrets to keep.”
“I have already told Bear everything my father told me about Wakanda, he goes wherever I go.”
K'Tedimu had a shocked look as he glanced between N'Jadaka and Bear. He then settled his firm gaze on N'Jadaka and said, “Telling an outsider those secrets could get you in a lot of trouble. I will allow him to accompany you for now, after he is checked for weapons. But it will be up to other people if he is allowed to stay with you the whole time.”
Erik nodded his head as he said, “Bear let them check you for weapons.”
Bear let go of Klaue and then stood with his arms and legs apart. One of the men took a hold of Klaue while the other man did a thorough search of Bear. When he found nothing he moved back to K'Tedimu and nodded his head as he passed him. K'Tedimu looked at the man named Bear and said, “You will need to remove your mask Mr. Bear."
Bear looked towards N'Jadaka for orders, N'Jadaka looked back and said, “You can remove your mask.”
When Bear removed his mask, N'Jadaka was glad he was facing the other way. The man under the mask looked nothing like Ezekiel normally did. Sure his hair was black, but everything else was different. His face was covered in scar’s, his eyes had a hard edge to them like he was always looking for the next threat. Bear nodded his head to N'Jadaka as he clipped his mask to his vest.
K'Tedimu and his men took in the man named Bear and were instantly more on edge. With the mask on they didn’t notice it, but with the mask off they could see the man's hard eyes. He looked at K'Tedimu and his men like they weren’t a threat to him. K'Tedimu decided he would make sure he was always a full spear length away from Bear, just in case.
K'Tedimu looked back at N'Jadaka and said, “Come with us to the village, I need to make a report and get some transport for us.”
N'Jadaka nodded in reply as he and Bear started to walk towards the village. It didn’t take long for them to reach the village and they were shown a hut to use while they waited for transport.
Erik wanted to ask Bear some questions, but as he went to speak Bear shook his head. Erik took the hint and decided to ask his questions later after they returned to the base.
They didn’t have to wait long before their transport arrived. It was a cloaked Royal Talon Fighter which made no sound and couldn't be seen at all. Only when the rear ramp opened up could you tell that something was there.
Out of the back, seven Dora Milaje appeared and walked down the exposed ramp of the plane. One of the women went straight to K'Tedimu and started talking to him.
It wasn't long before K'Tedimu pointed towards the hut which N'Jadaka and Bear currently resided in. The woman looked over at the hut for a moment as she talked to K'Tedimu. After a few minutes of conversation, K'Tedimu and the woman walked over to N'Jadaka and Bear's hut.
K'Tedimu entered the hut and brought out N'Jadaka and Bear. Once outside the woman said, “I am Owibiah of the Dora Milaje, K'Tedimu said you claimed to be the son of the king's missing brother N’Jobu. You will have to come with us so we can verify your claims.”
She glanced at the man next to Erik as she said, “Your friend can join you for now. But be warned, if he makes one false move we will not hesitate to detain him or kill him depending on his actions. Is that understood?”
N'Jadaka nodded his head as he said, “Bear won’t attack unless he thinks my life's in danger. Otherwise he is just like a giant teddy bear. Isn't that right, bear?"
Bear nodded in reply. Owibiah eyed the man for a few seconds more, then Owibiah glanced behind her as she said, "Bring the scanner."
Two more Dora Milaje walked over carrying a device between them. They placed it on the ground and stood on each side of it. Owibiah touched some beads on her wrist and the device expanded open.
It looked like a metal doorway, in place of a door, there was a neon blue light that covered the opening. Owibiah glanced at Erik and Bear as she said, "Each of you take turns standing in the middle of the scanner. I will tell you when to leave it."
Erik glanced at Bear for a moment before he stepped forward into the opening. Owibiah touched the beads on her wrist and a small holographic screen appeared in front of her. She touched it a few times and the light in the doorway began to change colors a few times. When it went back to blue Owibiah said, "You can switch places with your friend now."
Erik stepped out of the doorway as he said, "Your turn Bear."
Bear stepped forward into the doorway and the process repeated but took twice as long. Once finished Owibiah studied the screen for a few minutes before she turned to K'Tedimu and said, “Get Klaue, we need to Scan him before heading back.”
K'Tedimu’s men brought out Klaue who now had different cuffs on. His blind fold, gag and ear protection was removed and he had a smile on his face. When he saw Bear with his distinct red and white mask he frowned.
When they walked close Klaue said, "You fucked up thinking you could make friends with Wakanda. These people are savages and they don't tolerate outsiders like us. You should have just been happy buying the vibranium I had."
Bear just looked at Klaue who started to smile again as he said, "Well doesn't matter, you paid me. When I get out of here I will be set for life."
K'Tedimu pushed Klaue into the doorway as he said, "You won't be going anywhere, now shut up."
As the device started to scan Klaue he said, "I escaped once before, I can do it again sweetheart."
A heavy Russian accent was heard as Bear said, "Your bank accounts were drained."
Klaue lost his smile as the device finished working. As he was pulled out of the device he looked at Bear and said, "You really know how to kick a man when he's down, don't you?"
Owibiah glanced at Klaue as she said, "Load him in the ship and if he keeps talking, I want him gagged."
Owibiah glanced at Erik and Bear as she said, "Everyone is cleared, let's go get your blood work done."
