Sharon tilted her head back, staring at the massive hole torn open in the café ceiling. Above, a brilliant sonic boom cloud spread across the sky.
She froze—then snapped back to life, Hawk's words still ringing in her ears. Pulling out her phone, she dialed headquarters.
At that same moment, alarms blared in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s New York Operations Center.
"Satellite detects anomalous energy surge."
"Running match now."
"Confirmed—Phoenix signature."
"Visual acquired. Phoenix is breaching the atmosphere."
"Is today his scheduled duel with Thor?"
"No. Thor's in New Mexico with Jane Foster for a conference."
"Trajectory calculation complete."
"Destination?"
"Africa. Wakanda."
On the giant split-screen display, one half showed Hawk streaking into orbit, fire streaming behind him. The other half displayed a satellite map of Earth, dotted lines arcing across continents—converging on Wakanda.
Victoria Hand crossed her arms, studying the projection from Project Insight. Her brow furrowed.
Just then, Sharon's call came through.
"Agent 13, report—what happened at Empire University? Phoenix just—"
"Commander, three Wakandans attempted to assassinate Gwen Stacy."
"…What?"
Victoria's composure broke. Someone had tried to kill the Demon King's chain? Her voice sharpened. "Is Gwen hurt?"
Sharon glanced over at Gwen helping Mary Jane lift Flash Thompson to his feet. "No."
Victoria exhaled hard, relief flooding her.
But then Sharon's words sank deeper.
"Wait… Wakandans?"
"Yes."
"But Wakanda's sealed tight—communications, transport, everything. How the hell did they get out? How did they reach New York, under our noses?"
Victoria couldn't fathom it. The blockade was airtight—backed by the Five Elders themselves. No leaks. No exceptions.
And yet three Dora Milaje had appeared in New York, blades drawn for Gwen Stacy.
Unacceptable.
"Track it. I want to know how those three got here—immediately."
"Identities confirmed?"
Sharon's gaze flicked to the three corpses still sprawled on the gym floor. "No mistake. Bald, built like men, dark skin, vibranium weapons. If not Wakanda, then nowhere else. Not that it matters. Hawk's already decided it was Wakanda."
Her pupils shrank. She remembered Hawk's last words before vanishing. "Commander, Hawk's en route to Wakanda. He told me to warn Hill—pull our people out now. He said… 'After this, Wakanda will be no more.'"
Victoria's pulse spiked.
"He said that?"
"Yes."
She hissed through her teeth. "Patch me through to Commander Hill. ETA to Wakanda?"
"Phoenix has slowed his velocity," a technician reported. "At current speed, he'll reach Wakanda airspace in thirty minutes."
"He's giving us thirty minutes," Victoria muttered.
Everyone in the room understood. If Hawk flew at full speed, he could be there in minutes. The delay wasn't mercy for Wakanda. It was time for them.
"Link with Hill now!"
"Channel open."
"…Victoria?"
In Wakanda's royal palace, Maria Hill excused herself from the thirty-sixth round of negotiations and stepped outside to take the urgent call.
"What happened?"
No wasted words. Victoria cut straight through. "Three Wakandans tried to assassinate Gwen Stacy. Hawk is enraged. He'll be over Wakanda in thirty minutes. His orders are clear—evacuate our people. He says after today, Wakanda will cease to exist."
"???"
Hill's mind spun, question marks piling. But this wasn't the time for questions.
She turned to her aide. "Launch transports immediately. All S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel—evacuate to the Hell's Gate zone."
Hell's Gate—the vast crater left after Hawk and Hell-Hulk's battle. Six months it had taken S.H.I.E.L.D. to drag Hell-Hulk's corpse out. The name had stuck.
The aide sprinted off.
Hill exhaled, killed the comms, and strode back into the palace chamber.
Inside, King T'Challa and Wakanda's tribal chiefs were demanding the withdrawal of all UN forces—Wakanda belonged to Wakandans, not the world. And T'Challa had gone further: Hawk must be surrendered to answer for Wakanda's suffering.
Alexander Pierce, seated opposite, chuckled. A bitter laugh.
Surrender Hawk?
Ridiculous.
At that moment, Hill leaned close to Pierce, whispering only for him: "Wakandans tried to kill Gwen Stacy. Hawk is on his way. We've got twenty minutes to get out."
Pierce's pupils shrank. His lungs burned as he sucked in a sharp breath. He glanced at T'Challa.
Unbelievable.
He had thought the Wakandans reckless for attacking UN troops. But this… this was suicide.
Every government knew. Every agency knew. Even HYDRA knew. Gwen Stacy—the Demon King's chain—was untouchable.
And Wakanda had dared.
Jesus. Mary. God Almighty. Did their ancestors not warn them?
Inside, Pierce's heart quaked with an earthquake's violence. Outside, he stayed serene—adjusting his glasses, smiling his polite, gentlemanly smile.
He cleared his throat, gaze sweeping the Wakandan leaders with their strange regalia, then resting on T'Challa in his Black Panther armor.
"Your demands… will require further deliberation."
Without waiting for protest, Pierce rose and strode out.
The other Council delegates exchanged looks, then hastily followed.
"Go!" he barked the moment they were outside. "Evacuate all personnel. Hell's Gate rendezvous!"
"Understood!"
…
(End of Chapter)
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