The Black Panther and Storm in The Last Humans on Earth

Previously in The Black Panther and Storm:

For over ten thousand years warrior kings called Black Panthers ruled and protected the isolated and unconquerable African nation Wakanda. In their isolation Wakanda became the most scientifically advanced nation on Earth. Akeem T’Challa was the latest Black Panther, and he believed that his great nation was obligated to use its resources to help the less fortunate; defenseless peoples of the world against tyranny, corruption and megalomaniac super humans.

Black Panther later married Ororo ‘Storm’ Munroe the non-Wakandan mutant hero. However, in Wakanda the royal couple’s noble endeavors were considered private affairs, which conflicted with their official duties.

Two years ago, Wakanda was fatally attacked by the royal couple’s super human enemy- the mind controlling Darkheart. In the wake of the attack that devastated the nation, the royal couple resigned on the principle of accountability, they dissolved the monarchy and they gave governance to a democratic government.

Recently Black Panther and Storm were temporarily reinstated to Wakanda’s leadership to face a threat to Earth, which they did successfully.

The incumbent president Achebe resigned, which left the Black Panther and Storm in power.

Meanwhile Nginda a secret society member transformed himself into the Hatura- a secret hulking living weapon that was created to stop the Savage Hulk. Storm fought the Hatura and his female accomplice Slay, but they escaped, and a conspiracy removed all evidence of the battle at the military facility where the Hatura formula was kept; therefore Storm only had her word, which only the Black Panther believed.

 

Nginda has entered the general election race for President of Wakanda without the fear of being arrested, because Storm has no evidence against him and Nginda wants Wakanda, to return to isolationism. Storm and T’Challa joined the election race so that Wakanda may help the world.

 

 

 

 

Story: The Last Humans on Earth

 

Chapter

Anan had deemed his three brothers hypocrites. The three brothers had masqueraded as deities and were called the Panther God, the White Gorilla God and the Lion God by the Wakandans. The reality was that Anan and his three brothers were Wakandan scientists who ten thousand years ago had worked on large amounts of raw vibranium metal, which had fallen from space and the radiation mutated them into beings of great power.

Anan was the most powerful but at a price. He fed on human life-force energy and became a danger to Earth. The three brothers fought Anan, but he prevailed and he chased the brothers into another dimension. Then Anan devised a plan for Earth.

 

Chapter

 

Inwardly Nginda was nervous, but he appeared composed on the outside. At his side was Slay and she too hid her nervousness. Both were inside the monitor station controlled by the secret society. The reason that Nginda and Slay were nervous was that their freedom, the society and their presidential campaign were in danger from T’Challa’s investigation into the incident at the Resurrection Altar facility.

Nginda had explained to Slay the operations of the Time Replica; therefore, she knew that the red signal on the large wide screen was assumed to be T’Challa who had gone two weeks into the past and was inside of the constructed reality created by the secret society.

The Time Replica worked on the premise that since time flow was linear similar to a stream, then an object could be built in the stream in which a time traveler would enter instead of his intended destination, and his time travel devices would not detect the difference.

T’Challa was inside a Time Replica that duplicated the real Resurrection Altar facility and its environment. The holographic humanoids in the Time Replica posed as people and fell sick from leaking gas. The concern for Nginda and Slay was if T’Challa would believe the fabricated reality.

Furthermore, there were other complications in the operation of the Time Replica. Nginda and Slay were unsure if it was really T’Challa inside the Time Replica, since there was no means of identification. The production of the Time Replica was hasty; therefore, a glitch may had occurred that would had expose the scheme. A favourable outcome would only be known when T’Challa returned, if it was indeed him.

The red signal stayed in the Time Replica for ten minutes, then the signal disappeared. Nginda told the engineers to keep him posted for further developments, he and Slay departed from the station, and they went to the summit of the skyscraper.

Slay checked her watch. ‘The interview is in ten minutes,’ said Slay.

‘We will get there in time,’ said Nginda assuredly while he transformed in an orange glow from a well-built man in his thirties into the Hatura- Savage Hulk strength and size, grey exoskeleton and accelerated healing.

Slay was in her combat cat suit that carried survival gear and a hand cannon. Slay activated her hover board, she athletically leapt on it and rose out of the skyscraper. Nginda took flight; he felt an extra energy throughout his body that wanted to become loose, and he fell to the temptation. For an instant Nginda forgot that he was a Presidential candidate, his unrequited affection for Slay and his hatred for T’Challa. For a moment Nginda was a free spirit flying through a Central City morning, dodging aircrafts and bending around skyscrapers.

Nginda arrived at his campaign headquarters. He entered the private higher level, and he returned to the serious, authoritative and frank character. He reverted to human form, took a quick shower and dressed formally for the interview with a prominent foreign journalist.

Slay arrived after Nginda had dressed. ‘Your abilities are increasing,’ she remarked on Nginda’s speed. She fixed Nginda’s collar. ‘There you look like the future President,’ said Slay.

‘Thanks,’ said Nginda. He exited the room and met the campaign communications manager M’Buki who was a beefy middle age man with a sharp wit and an eloquent orator.

‘ He is inside with his camera crew,’ said M’Buki while he strode with Nginda. ‘He will inquire about our policies but mostly he will try to get at our stance on the Hider Machine,’ said M’Buki. The Hider machine was an omega class weapon created by Wakanda scientists; it could remove any size landmass or country and transport it to any dimension.

‘What has the UN said in the last twenty four hours?’ quizzed Nginda.

‘A Joel Abieram is championing for the dismantling of the machine along with UN supervision and he is rallying support from the Trans Atlantic, the Middle East, the Caribbean and South America. Russia and China are silent, but they want the same thing as the UN,’ replied M’Buki.

‘And T’Challa’s and Ororo’s official position?’

‘None yet.’

They are stalling when they should be firm thought Nginda and it invigorated him. He opened the door on the BBC television journalist and his crew. M’Buki stayed outside the conference room while Nginda entered it.

The journalist was Brad Bronson, host of the BBC ‘Hardtalker’ television programme, he had flown in from Great Britain, for an exclusive interview with the presidential hopeful. Bronson was fifty-seven, balding, his tanned arms were salient since he wore a sleeveless shirt. Bronson understood that it was T’Challa who opened news channel feeds into Wakanda. However, foreign entertainment channels were blocked and the internet was not in the country, because Wakanda’s computers operated on a higher platform that was incompatible with the world’s present standard. Although, a special compatible internet service was available for the few embassies and the government agencies, but there were restrictions and filters.

The three man crew adjusted the lighting and positioned the camera for the recording, and they spoke in the London dialect. Bronson made small talk with Nginda about the large number of volunteers and staff in the campaign headquarters. Then Bronson handed Nginda a shirt microphone. Nginda fixed the microphone on his shirt, and he sat in a chair.

Bronson sat in another chair opposite to Nginda and the interview commenced.

‘Who is Nginda?’ asked Bronson.

‘I am a servant of Wakanda’s people and seek their best interest,’ replied Nginda.

‘And you believe that Wakanda’s best interest lies in a return to isolation?’ probed Bronson.

‘Indeed,’ answered Nginda.

‘But would that not impact negatively, on the neighbouring states who are arguably developing at a faster rate than some years ago, and were aided by T’Challa, when he was king and by some extent former President Achebe?’

‘Wakanda has to see about her woes first,’ responded Nginda, ‘For example our young people population has grown at a rapid rate while the elderly population has also increased. That places a burden on our resource allocation.’

‘But Western nations have reduced financial aid to the continent, and the league of African states have long looked at Wakanda, for leadership in the integration and transformation of Africa.’

‘China has taken up the slack and are investing heavily in Africa,’ responded Nginda, ‘As for economic integration it is not foreseeable. Wakanda, has no surplus production to trade and requires no goods from the outside world. And Wakanda, should not dominate the other nations.’

Bronson crossed his legs while he listened and scanned the questions he had listed on a notepad that was on his lap.

‘Then Wakanda, will be failing these states?’ asked Bronson.

‘Failing. These nations need to stand on their own. They cannot be siphoning off Wakanda’s gains and accomplishments.’

‘Is that not elitist?’

‘It is the truth,’ responded Nginda.

‘If you are elected president, will you end diplomatic relations to the countries that Wakanda has ties with?’ inquired Bronson.

‘Absolutely,’ replied Nginda.

‘And the foreign media? I mean, will this be the last time I’m in your beautiful country?’ asked Bronson with a smirk.

Nginda allowed himself a slight laugh. ‘There maybe restrictions on movement within the country, but the foreign press freedoms may remain,’ answered Nginda.

‘That is a hard-line,’ joked Bronson. ‘Will you also take a hard-line with the Hider Machine?’ asked Bronson.

‘Definitely,’ Nginda said, ‘It is our deterrent and protection from external threats.’

‘Still there will be consequences,’ said Bronson.

‘Of course, the consequences will be counter weapons developers, being thrown obscene amounts of money,’ said Nginda, ‘But all jokes aside Wakanda has faced external opposition for years and we will continue to stand firm.’

‘ You make it sound, as though, if the world were to disappear tomorrow then Wakanda, would be a happier place,’ said Bronson.

‘It might be,’ said Nginda.

Bronson asked a few more questions then concluded the interview. Nginda exited the conference room and he spoke with M’Buki about the interview. Then Nginda met with Slay for the start of the foot tour of the farmland communities.

 

Chapter

T’Challa was not fond of time travelling into the past, since the slightest variation could create an alternate future. Therefore, he was hidden like a panther in the brush that bordered the military facility where Ororo said that she fought Nginda.

However, T’Challa had neither seen a fight nor  Ororo at the facility. This made T’Challa disgruntled, because Nginda was able to distort time. It also meant that T’Challa could not order surveillance on Nginda without probable cause, since that would be considered harassment of his political rival. T’Challa returned to the future time line and his muscular frame that was suited in the vibranium Black Panther body armour emerged from the brush.

‘Take us to the campaign headquarters,’ said T’Challa to the time and space computers, which governed his sword that was magnetized to his back. T’Challa teleported from the brush to Ororo and his campaign headquarters. The small staff and volunteers were busy with the organization of the headquarters. Okoye who was one half of Dora Milaje the political campaign consultation firm, easily spotted T’Challa from her office window because of the Black Panther uniform and the military commander gait. Okoye was twenty four years old, slender and had tattoos on her arms. Her twin sister Nakia was on the telephone laying the ground organisation for the campaign. This was their first management of a political campaign, yet they operated like experienced professionals and T’Challa and Ororo appreciated it.

‘Good morning Mr. President,’ said Okoye as she stuck out the office and addressed the man who was eleven years her senior. ‘I need to speak with you.’ Okoye supported the dream Ororo and T’Challa had for the future of Wakanda, since the world Okoye saw on the foreign news channels did need the help.

T’Challa peeled back his uniform’s mask that revealed a shaven head and a face that had a clean broad chin and a flat nose. He entered the office and was greeted by two holographic motion pictures; they were slightly taller than his six-foot frame.

‘Good morning Okoye,’ said T’Challa. ‘What am I looking at?’

‘These are two proposed media ads,’ replied Okoye. ‘The first one has a voice over and the visuals display several impoverished developing countries such as, Indonesia, and the tag line is You can end this by voting Ororo and T’Challa. The second one has the tag line you are their hero by lending a helping hand and depicts feeding developing nations’ children.’

Okoye had realized that sympathy and duty were the themes that needed to be highlighted in the marketing mix for the campaign.

T’Challa reviewed the two ads in a few seconds. ‘I like the tag line in the second ad, You are their hero. It should be the campaign’s tagline. We will show these to Ororo to get her opinions,’ said T’Challa.

‘Can I have a time when for scheduling purposes?’ asked Okoye.

‘I am on my way to her right now, I will tell her and she will call.’

‘Very well,’ said Okoye.

‘Good work by the way,’ said T’Challa.

‘Thank you.’

T’Challa then teleported to the Presidential Office where Ororo was engaged with work. Ororo had placed her natural white hair in a ponytail. Her slender thirty year old body was relaxed in the chair, while she read the legal case of the general and the two pilots who took an omega weapon without executive permission, to fight a monster that rampaged through Central City. The judges in the case followed protocol and sent the case for a presidential pardon review. Ororo felt responsible for the fate of the accused, because the circumstances were created when she left the country to deal with an insane omega superhuman, while T’Challa was on the other side of the universe organizing regime change in the Hedus civilization.

The main office from where T’Challa and Ororo worked from had: two office desks that faced each other, the one on the right was Ororo’s and the one on the left was T’Challa’s; both leaders had separate executive assistants.

Ororo had sensed the teleportation energy before T’Challa had appeared.

After T’Challa appeared he leaned the sword on his desk. Nano robots sheathed the sword’s dark force energy blade (dark force energy was the deadliest energy in all the universes).

T’Challa kissed Ororo and stared into her natural blue eyes, he shook his head disappointedly. ‘There was nothing,’ T’Challa said.

‘We should speak with Taku see what he knows,’ said Ororo. Taku was the couple’s friend and a military scientist.

‘I’ll contact him and also Okoye has two media ads for your approval,’ said T’Challa.

Ororo was thrilled that the campaign organisation had commenced quickly, and she had the support of her colleagues in the mutant action group the X Men. ‘I will speak with her later this evening,’ said Ororo.

Ororo returned to the legal case and showed it to T’Challa. T’Challa settled in his chair and brought up his copy of the legal case on an audible hologram. The hologram showed a recording of the court martial. T’Challa and Ororo deliberated on the case for twenty minutes until they both decided to pardon the accused.

Then a message came from the Foreign Affairs Division, that stated a request made by the UN Security Council secretariat for a video conference meeting the next day, the topic would be the Hider machine.

‘The point that they will raise is that it once fell into the wrong hands,’ said Ororo.

 

‘ We have even more stringent protocols and security for the machine than before. This is what we will argue tomorrow,’ said T’Challa.

‘But does Wakanda need the machine?’ asked Ororo. ‘That will be their next question’.

‘Answer is that we do,’ said T’Challa.

The rest of the day Ororo and T’Challa read reports, met officials and planned for the UN Security Council meeting. Late in the evening Ororo visited the campaign headquarters and approved the second media ad option but wanted improvements in the visuals, since Ororo had once lived in destitute conditions as a child. Meanwhile T’Challa visited his childhood friend the burly Taku, who remembered that he had reviewed a draft for a time distortion programme, when he was chief scientist, but the idea was scrapped.

The last point stayed with T’Challa. The fact that the idea was discarded, yet someone implemented it meant that several agencies and divisions were involved. T’Challa suspected the agency or division heads and clandestine groups that may be under them. He returned to his home and reviewed the history of the military facility. The official purpose of the facility was for storage of military documents, a thorough search found it to be true. But what was really in there, what are they hiding? thought T’Challa.

 

Nginda was still apprehensive; even though, the day had passed without soldiers storming through his door and arresting him. It was possible that the Time Replica had fooled T’Challa. Then would T’Challa still believe Ororo? thought Nginda.

Then he thought of the presidency. The campaign tracking had Nginda comfortably in front of T’Challa, Ororo and the UNDA, should it continue then he was guaranteed the presidency.

Nginda’s gaze fell on the photo of his deceased wife and daughters who died in the foreigner Darkheart’s reprisal attack. Nginda placed the ultimate blame on T’Challa’s and Ororo’s interference in outside affairs, which was the inspiration for Nginda’s run in the elections. He stepped out the quietness of his office into the din and bodies of the headquarters. The sense of victory replaced the apprehensiveness. If elections were called tomorrow then I would win it he thought.

 

Chapter

Central City residents awoke the next morning to a gigantic red cube floating above the city. The official appearance of the cube was 5. 49 am. Ororo and T’Challa arrived at 5 . 57 am. Ororo rode wind currents created by her, as she flew around the cube; she did not sense any energy emanating from it. She relayed the information to T’Challa. A military observation post was created in a neighbouring skyscraper. T’Challa appointed Taku the task of monitoring and analyzing the cube.

Nginda and Slay appeared on the scene. They were equally baffled by the cube. Slay pointed out to Nginda that he had to prove himself a leader in a crisis for the electorate, else the focus of the elections would change from foreign policy to leadership skills. Nginda agreed and he inquired where he could assist from T’Challa and Ororo.

‘There is nothing for you to do,’ said T’Challa. It was the first time the two had met.

‘Nevertheless we are here,’ said Nginda. He and Slay remained in a special area in the vicinity of the cube.

 

The airforce contacted Ororo and informed her that several commercial airline planes had collided outside of Wakanda’s airspace, three other planes had strayed into Wakanda and were not responding to calls. Ororo asked for the coordinates of the planes and they were given to her. The mission required the flexibility of flyers; therefore, Ororo swallowed her pride and asked Nginda and Slay for their assistance. T’Challa remained in the observation post and monitored the trio with satellites.

 

Chapter

The commercial plane Ororo chose to pursue was surrounded by five fighter jets. Ororo flew to the plane cockpit to view the pilots, but there were none. She slipped to the underside of the plane near the front landing gear. Ororo used concentrated plasma energy from her index finger to cut a circle through the metal, she punched the cut out metal forcing it upward, she entered the hole, returned the metal and sealed it in place with the heat from the plasma energy.

Ororo crouched in a narrow tunnel below the main cabins. She kept her calm, which abated her claustrophobia. She reached a ladder and climbed it. She emerged in the hostess room, it was vacant, and an empty wine bottle lay on the flooring. Ororo went into the cockpit, the auto pilot was on. She ventured into the main cabins, and it was vacant, yet there were signs that people were once there- opened magazines, reclined seats, fallen food trays, spilt beverages on the flooring, active laptops and bags in the luggage compartments.

Ororo contacted T’Challa. ‘The people appeared to have vanished,’ said Ororo. ‘I will land the plane tell the fighters to stand down. What is the status with the others?’ Ororo returned to the cockpit, she took control of the plane and used her experience as a pilot.

‘Nginda and Slay report the same thing,’ replied T’Challa, ‘The airforce will take out those planes since they are over less built up areas. And there is a new development’.

‘With the cube?’ inquired Ororo.

‘No, it’s with Earth,’ replied T’Challa.

 

Chapter

 

Wakanda’s spy satellites discovered: several massive cubes scattered about Earth, people less cities and towns, planes that flew aimlessly and even the civilization on the Blue Area of the moon had vanished. The embassies reported that they lost contact with their respective countries.

‘Where could have over six billion people disappeared to?’ asked T’Challa aloud.

Taku analyzed the distances between the cubes, but he found no patterns. ‘Possibly they are compressed inside of these cubes,’ replied Taku.

‘Then why were we spared? Why are we the last humans on Earth?’ asked T’Challa.

Taku had no answer. Ororo, Nginda and Slay returned to the observation post. T’Challa informed them of the discovery.

‘We have to venture out,’ said T’Challa. He dismissed Nginda and Slay.

T’Challa and Ororo convened a meeting with the military generals. The army and military scientists were ordered to occupy the 440 nuclear reactors around the world to prevent nuclear meltdowns because of no supervision at the reactors. A mixture of infantry and military robots were deployed to secure the cubes and sent to selected cities where they transmitted radio signals that offered help. The core army remained in Wakanda on stand by. Commando units were sent to the space station Peak II since the artificial intelligence computers onboard stated the station was vacant.

A general suggested that Wakanda use the opportunity to learn the military secrets of the other superpower nations, and the idea was rejected by T’Challa and Ororo.

After the meeting T’Challa and Ororo addressed the nation on the developments. Nginda agreed with the plan, since it did not spread the army thin. Also he remembered that the journalist had asked him, if the rest of the world were to disappear, would Wakanda be pleased?

It remains to be seen thought Nginda.

 

Chapter

Wakandans had never left the country aside from T’Challa, Ororo and a handful of others. The embedded media reporters that went out with the arm forces sent live streaming video, audio and holographic news reports that startled most Wakandans who had never paid much attention to the foreign news channels. The majority of the world was in shambles compared to Wakanda- slums, cities covered in air pollution and diseased.

Then another discovery was made. The other gigantic cubes that hovered in the skies through out the world were marked by hieroglyphics, whereas the cube over Central City was unmarked.

T’Challa received a call from the commander of the forces on the space station.

‘There is a space ship approaching,’ said the commander.

‘I am on my way,’ said T’Challa. He informed Ororo and he teleported to the space station.

The Peak II space station had artificial gravity, a process area for aliens that entered Earth and a small military base with surveillance capabilities. The Wakanda commando units had secured the space station and the station’s artificial intelligence computers co-operated.

A sense of abandonment stamped its mark on the space station and T’Challa felt it. He was on the central deck that had a panoramic view of Earth, the moon and space. The main monitor showed a beeping dot that neared the imaginary boundary line on the screen. T’Challa ordered the artificial intelligence computer to open the communication channels.

‘This is President T’Challa of Wakanda, identify yourself,’ said T’Challa.

‘President T’Challa, I am Captain Thomas of the SS Wolf. We are returning to Earth from an expedition on Mars-’

Suddenly there was an explosion in space that was seen from the deck. T’Challa glanced at the monitor, the dot had disappeared on the boundary line.

‘My word,’ said T’Challa out his humanity, since he knew that the space ship was destroyed.

‘Computer send a probe beyond the boundary,’ said T’Challa. The probe was sent and it appeared as a red beeping dot on the monitor, when it reached the boundary it disappeared. A brief flash appeared in space.

‘There is a force field out there. Nothing can enter and nothing can leave,’ said T’Challa.

Ororo called.

‘Yes Ororo,’ said T’Challa.

‘Someone has appeared on the cube,’ said Ororo.

T’Challa returned to Wakanda.

 

Chapter

 

Anan had recovered from his fight with his brothers. He had slept for a few hours to rejuvenate his strength and when he awoke he was hungry. However, he had sensed the presence of people- people whose life-force energy he could not feed on. Anan realized that the people were Wakandans. He journey to Wakanda and came across the red cube which was not one of his creations. He landed on the cube and then he felt his brothers’ aura, and it was gradually weakening.

T’Challa and Ororo appeared on the cube. Anan was a dark skinned humanoid, muscular, bright glowing yellow eyes, he wore a gold cap, an amulet and ceremonial Wakandan clothes.

‘Remove yourselves,’ said Anan.

‘Who are you?’ asked T’Challa.

Anan was impatient and directed his power towards T’Challa. T’Challa was punched off the cube. T’Challa teleported from the air and appeared behind Anan. T’Challa withdrew the sword from his back, the nano robots retreated into the hilt and left the sharp dark force blade exposed. T’Challa slashed deeply into Anan’s back. Agggg, went Anan and he arched backward.

‘Again who are you?’ asked Ororo.

T’Challa noticed that Anan’s wound was bloodless. However, a strange grey glow appeared in the wound.

Anan straightened and laughed. ‘I now understand why my brothers sacrificed themselves for you all,’ said Anan. Then he disappeared.

 

Chapter

 

Taku and his staff analyzed the footage of Anan and the hieroglyphics on the cubes. He presented the results to T’Challa and Ororo.

‘The style of attire and the hieroglyphics are from the Age of Bashenga,’ said Taku. ‘The amulet is a family heirloom. We traced it to the Travesgi family. They have long disappeared. The records showed that the last of the family were four brothers-Anan, Fari, Kelwa and Adano-whom were scientists’.

Afterwards Ororo practiced the creation of a teleportation net around T’Challa. She was successful on the second attempt. If Anan reappeared the teleportation net would be used against him.

 

 

Chapter

Hunger forced Anan out of his hide out. He chose a random life-force containment unit, which he had spent centuries painstakingly constructing in another dimension. The containment unit captured all human and alien bodies in and around Earth. Then Anan placed a forcefield around Earth and its moon as a border for his territory.

The plan was perfect until his brothers interfered. Anan surmised that his brothers had combined their powers to shield Wakanda out of love for their followers. Therefore if Anan destroyed his brothers then Wakanda would be vulnerable.

Anan teleported to the chosen containment unit. He was spotted by the military robots and seconds later T’Challa and Ororo were on the scene.

‘Since these cubes are his creations then killing him will hopefully destroy them,’ said Ororo.

‘Most likely but we will give him a chance first,’ said T’Challa.

Ororo created the invisible teleportation net around Anan. T’Challa charged into Anan.

Anan stood on the cube and slowly absorbed the life-force energy, but he only took a pinch, since he had to defend himself against T’Challa’s attack. Anan stepped out the path of T’Challa’s sword thrust. T’Challa disappeared and Anan could not track him. T’Challa reappeared and slashed Anan’s face then disappeared.

Infuriated Anan created a sword and shield in an instant. However T’Challa slashed through the shield and severed Anan’s hand. Then T’Challa disappeared.

‘He is merely a human’ thought Anan. Anan attempted to teleport but was impeded.

T’Challa reappeared and slashed off Anan’s right arm and vanished. Anan snarled.

‘You can end this,’ said Ororo. ‘Return the people’.

‘I need them for me to live,’ said Anan.

‘You will not live through this,’ said Ororo.

T’Challa appeared and took off Anan’s left arm. Anan fell on his knees.

‘Return them,’ said Ororo.

‘Never,’ said Anan.

T’Challa decapitated Anan and the body fell forward. Immediately the containment units around the world exploded. A grey light washed across the face of the Earth. The force field in space disappeared.

The cube over Central City faded into oblivion and so did Anan’s body.

 

Chapter

 

Everyone who had disappeared returned, but not in their original places. People were scattered all over the world in unfamiliar places and were disorganized. Therefore Wakanda had to lead the process of establishing order. The process took weeks and during that time Okoye noticed a dramatic change in the vote tracking.

There was a large swing towards T’Challa’s and Ororo’s campaign. The tangible evidence was the increased volume of volunteers into the campaign headquarters. The campaign branding ‘You are their hero’ had connected with Wakandans, as they had helped save the world. The media polls stated that T’Challa and Ororo were neck and neck with Nginda in the race for the presidency.

However, once the world re settled the issue of the Hider Machine returned. The United Nations Security Council handed Wakanda an ultimatum- destroy the machine or they would destroy it themselves.

 

Next Story: Crisis

~ by blackpantherfanstories on September 8, 2008.