1x1 King's Dead

“Assault troops,” Shuri came up to Menat and Karma. “Come with me. Dr. Mcoy and I found something. The group returned back to the computer panel where they had started as Beast was looking through the database. “Ah, good you’re all here, I’m sure you had found those tanks with those…creatures inside, yes?”

“Yeah they’re a creepy bunch,” Iceman replied. “What did Shuri mean about assault troops?”

“That’s exactly what they are. Foot soldiers, ones that have the skills to enter Krakoa.” Beast’s words hushed the room before Mystique spoke up.
“Are you saying that those things in the tanks were once mutants?”

Beast shook his head. “Not exactly.” He began looking up something on the computer. “They aren’t mutants themselves but have been bioengineered no doubt with the help of those mutants we saved above…we just assumed this was a typical slave ring but…”

“It seemed you were all a target,” Shuri replied and Beast nodded.

“It would appear so. This is the direst news and we need to inform the rest of Krakoa about this.” Beast pinched the brow of his nose in frustration. “Considering we are dealing with quite a high tech bioengineering…it pains me to say this but I must seek out further expertise from another denizen of Krakoa when I return.” As he spoke a portal emerged a bit further in the facility. “We will have to reconvene back to Krakoa. I trust you will be able to find your way out of here? And do not worry,” He gave both Shuri and Menat an assuring smile. “We will contact you again. We are in your debt after all. If you hadn’t told us about this then well, I don’t much care to dwell on what-ifs. Keep your phone line open,” Beast quipped.

With that, the four mutants entered the portal leaving Shuri and Menat alone in the abandoned facility. “…I will inform my brother about this. Even if abandoned we cannot leave the facility as it is. The Avengers can deal with the cleanup.” She turned towards Menat and smiled. “I believe it is best for us to leave as well to Wakanda. While I do not trust them as much as I want, I am sure the X-Men will contact us when they are ready.”

@Yun Lee

Shuri and Menat managed to leave Madripoor without any authorities knowing they had ever been there. On their trip back to Wakanda Shuri radioed into T'Challa about the situation and he'd have the Avengers investigate as well. Because despite it all they still didn't trust the X-Men to actually do anything about it.

Other than look after themselves of course. The trip itself was also uneventful and they landed back in Wakanda in the evening. "You are free to use the same room as before," Shuri replied as they got out of the ship. "You are free to travel around, however, you've earned our trust. I'll keep you posted about the current situation." Shuri looked like she was ready to leave before she stopped. "Perhaps, if you are interested, I could show you one of the local restaurants I enjoy eating in?"

@Yun Lee

"Great! Then follow me." Shuri led Menat out of the palace into the city. The sun had almost set but the streets still seemed quite lively with people. Soon enough they found a little food stall where Shuri went to order for them in Wakandan. "Please have a seat." She motioned towards a set of plastic chairs and a table near the stall. "The food will be ready shortly."

Shuri sat down with her as they waited for the food. "I hope you don't have any dietary-related illnesses, I'd feel dumb if I got the hero of Wakanda sick."

@Yun Lee

Shuri chuckled at Menat's reaction. "Well you have helped this nation stave off certain doom once already, soon enough twice. I'd say the moniker is rather fitting, don't you? Perhaps I'll request T'Challa to get you a medal when this is finally done with."

As Shuri spoke the vendor came over with plates of food. It seemed to be some kind of stew with some meat and the smell implied some heavy spices. "This is the Wakandan version of an Eritrean dish called Zigni berbere. It's basically a spicy beef stew. When I want something with a bit more kick in it I come here and have myself a bite. I'm happy to now share this experience with you, Menat."

@Yun Lee

"It's better!" Shuri laughed as she began eating as well. The dinner went on rather peacefully, and Shuri had been right about the food. Despite having a slight kick to it something like this shouldn't just be street vendor food.

"So, what do you think of the mutants? The little you've had to do with them I mean?" Shuri finally replied after having finished her food.

@Yun Lee

"Mystique's loyalties have been constantly shifting. Though she has found herself far more often as a villain than a hero," Shuri remarked. "Then again...from what we know she is not the only one with moral ambiguity working with Krakoa. They have offered a home to every mutant, no matter their past actions."

She was silent for a moment as she leaned back in her chair. "The X-Men have been allies in the past...but this new situation...I do not know if it will end up well for them in the end."

@Yun Lee

"If you believe you can see something else..." Shuri motioned to Menat's crystal ball. Peeking inside she didn't see anything at first before an image emerged. This time the utter destruction had been switched with a battlefield where mutants of different kinds were fighting what Menat recognized as Shadaloo footsoldiers as well as those monstrous beings they had found in the test tubes.

It was hard to say who had the upper hand before a massive flash blinded Menat and once it subsided the images had vanished.

@Yun Lee

"Perhaps our part is still not finished," Shuri replied. "Professor McCoy did say they'd be in touch." She put down the plastic utensils on the empty plate and stood up. "I will not hold my breath on the matter though. You have done a good job and you should be proud of it now, are you ready to return back to the palace?"

@Yun Lee

Shuri lead Menat back to the palace and to her private quarters. "If you need anything just tell the guards and they'll sort it out. Have a good night, Menat." With that, the princess of Wakanda left Menat to her own devices.

Whatever she did between Menat finally fell asleep she found herself in an old looking room. It seemed to be a study of some kind with a fireplace where a cozy fire was going on. In front of the fireplace, there were two chairs and a table, In one of the chairs sat a bald man in a suit sipping on a cup of tea.

@Yun Lee

“Oh if I understand it correctly you should be sleeping in the royal palace of Wakanda while I am having a brief respite for mediation in the Krakoan flower garden.” The man turned his full attention towards Menat as he flashed her a friendly smile. “I am Charles Xavier. Professor X. My citizens have informed me of the situation and I felt like it was pertinent that we’d have a discussion.” He motioned towards the chair over from him. “I thought this was the quickest way, considering the circumstances and our current policy. Please. Have a seat.”

@Yun Lee