Magneto deliberately feigned a look of astonishment...
In truth, the real purpose of his visit today was Wakanda's vibranium resources... a task assigned by Sean and a crucial factor for mutants to establish a firm foothold on the African continent.
Building a new stronghold from scratch and developing it into a nation would be far too slow. At the very least, Magneto felt he didn't have enough time to wait.
But Sean had provided him with an ideal solution...
What better place could serve as the starting point for mutant development than an isolated African nation?
Magneto was well aware that Ulysses Klaue was one of the few lucky individuals who had infiltrated Wakanda and emerged unscathed. He possessed secret channels for stealing vibranium.
A significant part of the black-market merchant's rise to prominence stemmed from this priceless resource...
Officially, the price of this miraculous metal was said to be on par with gold. But through underground channels, its value could exceed gold by dozens, even hundreds of times!
Vibranium, also known as anti-metal, originated from extraterrestrial meteors.
Unlike other high-atomic-mass metals, it lacked radioactivity, granting it unparalleled durability. It also possessed the unique ability to absorb and store kinetic energy.
Captain America's shield, for instance, contained a portion of vibranium, allowing it to withstand Iron Man's artillery and Thor's lightning with formidable defensive capabilities.
Vibranium had a peculiar molecular structure...
Its atoms remained perpetually fixed at absolute zero, and the lack of atomic movement meant this metal fundamentally lacked the conditions for energy conduction.
These distinctive traits made vibranium an ideal material for defensive alloys, as it could endure terrifying impacts without harming its wielder.
"Wakanda?" Magneto repeated the word, a flicker of something unreadable passing through his eyes, "I've never heard of this place..."
The Brotherhood leader's acting was impeccable as he shrugged and asked, "Is it some mythical land like Shangri-La? Or a desert oasis from tales of hidden treasure?"
"Wakanda does hide treasure... vibranium!" Ulysses Klaue continued stoking the mutant leader's interest.
His own rise to wealth had been built on this exceedingly rare and valuable metal.
Years ago, Klaue had coincidentally befriended a prince from Wakanda. After deliberately cultivating their acquaintance, he convinced the prince to help him steal vibranium.
Unfortunately, the operation had gone awry, and Klaue had detonated a bomb at the border during his escape, resulting in countless casualties.
From then on, the name Ulysses Klaue had been placed on Wakanda's most-wanted list...
The current king had attempted to capture him, intending to spill his blood in retribution for the dead. But the black-market merchant was cunning... he fled to the West Coast of New York, carefully building his connections and smuggling channels, leaving Wakanda empty-handed time and again...
"Globally, vibranium output is vanishingly small. Even a behemoth like Stark Industries can't afford to use it lavishly in mass-produced equipment..."
The black-market merchant's eyes burned with the flames of greed and ambition as he lowered his voice, "But in Wakanda, vibranium is as common as wheat in a field."
"You want to team up with us, Mr. Klaue?" Seeing that they had finally reached the heart of the matter, Magneto dropped the pretense and cut straight to the chase.
"Of course. I know who you are... and who stands behind you..." Sweat gleamed on Klaue's face as excitement overtook him, "Alone, I could never extract enough vibranium from Wakanda. But you can. And isn't that why you sought me out in the first place?"
"A smart man." Magneto nodded.
With the cards now on the table, there was no need for further circumspection. His voice deepened, "I need a guide. You know Wakanda well, so cooperation between us should be feasible..."
"...In return, you might shed your current identity. Frankly, Mr. Klaue, I believe your talents extend far beyond black-market dealings... even if you've excelled at them." The regal pride of a king returned to Magneto as he rose to his feet.
Through the glass, he watched the labourers scurry like ants, hauling crates of weapons aboard the ship and into storage.
Magneto continued, "Wouldn't monopolizing the vibranium supply as a legitimate businessman offer a brighter future than this cramped existence?"
Ulysses Klaue's breathing grew slightly ragged.
He swallowed hard, realizing this could be the turning point that altered his destiny...
"What do you need from me? Leading a team of mutants into Wakanda to steal vast quantities of vibranium?" Even in the face of immense tantalizing profit, Klaue retained a shred of caution.
He knew Wakanda wasn't a place one could simply waltz into... Beyond the nation's advanced technology, each king bore the title of Black Panther, wielding extraordinary power...
"Hahaha~" A burst of laughter escaped Magneto.
His gaze held no deliberate contempt, yet Klaue suddenly felt infinitesimally small.
"...Ulysses Klaue, we have no intention of sneaking into Wakanda like thieves and smuggling out meager scraps of vibranium to sell on the black market..." The Brotherhood leader's voice swelled with fervor.
An invisible magnetic force rippled through the air, and Klaue felt the entire ship tremble as if caught in a storm-tossed sea.
A thunderous reverberation echoed through the hull. The workers shouted in panic, scurrying like ants on the brink of apocalypse, desperate for an exit they couldn't find...
"I want a comprehensive dossier on Wakanda. Everything you know. 'Everything', you will share with me." Magneto's tone brooked no argument, "In return, you'll monopolize the supply chain. The name Ulysses Klaue will vanish from the Pentagon's blacklist..."
"...In other words, you'll be legitimized, Mr. Klaue. Cooperating with us grants you official status, no more hiding, no more fearing Wakanda's pursuit."
The cramped foul-smelling office fell silent for nearly a minute before Ulysses Klaue finally snapped back to reality...
His reply was crisp, "It would be my honor to serve such distinguished individuals!"
Magneto nodded in satisfaction...
Adjusting his earpiece, he murmured, "Tell your master everything is in place. I await the crucial leverage he promised."
With that, the Brotherhood leader strode out of the suffocating cabin, the very metal of the ship twisting aside at his will.
As the tremors ceased, Klaue barked orders, and the ant-like workers resumed their labor.
Stepping onto the ship's lookout post, Magneto breathed in the fresh air. The wind tugged at his purple cape as he gazed across the vast tidal flats.
Beyond the horizon lay Africa's most powerful and valuable nation... waiting to become the mutants' new home...