Chapter 52: Beyond The Stars, Before the War

Friday November 30th, 2020. Wakanda, Africa.

The days since their first field exercise— since Storm threw a small ocean at Bronte, had gone by fast. Just like back at the Xavier institute. Just like back in Canada, in their snowed in Cabin atop the hill. They were settling in.

Unlike all those other places, they were having a party. A real throw down. To cap off week one of preparations— to give their warriors and scientists a break. A proper way to let off steam.

And some unveiling of information that he wasn't aware of. Whatever it was, it was high brow. Only reason he could assume so was because the parties coordinators and center pieces, the King and Queen, were still working.

He watched them moving and conversing across the floor of the dancehall— along with his Parents and siblings partying as he sat alone.

Well, not entirely alone.

"So…. Why aren't you out there?" He asked his table mate.

Daken growled as he swallowed down his eighth glass of champagne.

"Word, word. Yea this one ain't for me either... love the music. Wakanda's got style, man…. It's just too loud…. Too much. Maybe I'm tripping." Bronte crossed his hulking arms as he leaned back in his chair.

"Leave me, ragdoll." Daken snappily waved over another waiter.

Brontë waved off the waiter, angering Daken further, "Yo, who put that stick up your ass? I know I didn't. I'll shove it through your skull to shut you up first."

Daken made eye contact with him. Despite all the spirits he'd downed in succession, he was as alert as always. Sharp eyes ready to cut deeper than his blade and claw combined.

"What, man? We've had a good training week. This is the best shape we've been in yet."

Daken showed him the wine glass. It shattered in his grip. The glass shards fell like salt sprinkles as his healing skin pushed the pieces out.

The music was so loud nobody even noticed.

"This…. THIS! Look at them. They're off their asses. And I can't even get away from a single one of my thoughts. I'm tired. But I have to keep thinking about how to kill the man who is the sole reason for my birth— all while you go deeper into playing the hero."

Brontë was taken aback by his last sentence, "Woah woah hold on! That training event wasn't even that bad—"

"Yes it was! I told you what the deal was when we first found you. And like always, you don't listen. Even now, as the trump card, YOU are the most likely to fuck it up!" Daken swatted away the other glasses of champagne and stormed off.

A few people in the crowd caught notice from the collective shattering of glass.

A horde of waiters rushed over.

"Easy, I got it. Sorry about that." Bronte said as he stepped in.

The waiters bowed and shuffled away as Bronte created a small wind tornado around the glass pieces, funneling it into the trash.

"Everything alright, Tay?" Bronte's mother yelled from the dance floor with Junior and his dad.

Brontë held a thumbs up to her.

When he was finished, he could smell Laura standing behind him.

"What's up with him?" Bronte said as he turned to face her.

Like him she wore black silk pants and a tank top. They were fresh out of training.

Laura shrugged as she watched the door he exited.

"Daken's time before us is a lot more complex than ours. Maybe not Raze's. Point is, this is a critical moment for all of us, but there's more to it for Daken. He used to work for Romulus. He trained Lupines. Fought them from childhood. I think as we get closer his nerves fester..."

"He's worried ill blow it." Bronte said.

Laura nodded, "We all are."

"The fuck is going on." Bronte was ready to blow up the spot. That was putting it lightly.

"You've been at this for less than five years. Romulus has been for centuries."

"Ok cool, it's not just me against him though. Why are we ignoring teamwork like we don't get busy?"

Laura nodded, "You're right. It's not just you. But there will be times where it'll feel that way. That's what gets Daken most nervous. But at the same time….. five years. You're a completely different person. You're an Omega Level Mutant. You've bested Mutants who have decades in the game. You ate a damn Wendigo. Even our da— Even Logan, hasn't done that. You're doing the right thing, hermano."

Brontë looked back at the door Daken stormed out of.

"Why'd he leave?"

"I thought we just discussed that?"

"No— why did he leave Romulus' side?"

Laura blinked, "...I'm not sure."

The music dropped to a steady rhythmic hum. At the front of the room someone stood at the podium. She was tall and lanky— like the woman's track and field team back and highschool. She had the same broad shoulders too. Her braids were tied up at the top of her head in a shining bun adorned with beads and jewels. The silk dress she wore sat well along her thin hips and chest. Tailored and designed with passion. She had T'Challa's eyes.

"Good evening everyone. For those of you that don't know, my name is Shuri. I am Our Kings sister and the head of the technological advancements department. As well as One of the many Directors of the Intergalatic Wakandan Empire." Shuri announced.

The crowd clapped.

"I come to you today with good news. While our Warriors and new Allies have been training so diligently in the face of what's to come. Me and my team have been at work as well. And our work, directly benefits those on the front lines. Which keeps you all safe— and Wakanda going strong."

The crowd shouted and cheered.

"Intergalactic Empire is so crazy…." Bronte thought as he stood beside Laura.

"Sometimes I almost forget some of our strongest Heroes are up there. Beyond the stars."

"Yea really…."

Shuri continued, "As many of you know, we've had a series of space expeditions across the galaxy. We've traveled upwards of seventy thousand light years from earth. And somewhere in that distance I think I've found another resource Wakanda can call it's own. Much like we did with Vibranium. Only this time we won't need a Meteor."

The crowd quieted with interest.

The curtain behind the podium opened as a man stepped through. Brontë immediately recognized him as the man he first saw working beside Ororo the day he arrived.

"Thank you." Shuri took a see through container from the man and placed it in front of her on the podium. It looked half full of black tar.

"N'Thanial Thames has worked hard with me in finding and securing this valuable resource."

Brontë kept watching the man. He looked so plain— but weirdly familiar. Like when you see someone's eyes behind a mask— then recognize the eyes on some randoms face. He recognized his eyes.

"Today I show you the first piece in a new blueprint for reactive all terrain Vibranium bio suits. And this…. The Klyntar Symbiotes, is how we do it. Through a symbiotic synthesis of Vibranium and The Klyntar."

"Klyntar. Why's is that name familiar?" Bronte questioned.

Laura didn't look surprised. Just angry. "Because it's Raze. Raze is part Klyntar."