Chapter 1
35 years ago
"I, Prince N'Jobu, challenge you, T'Chaka, to a ritual combat for our father's throne and mantle of the Black Panther."
"N'Jobu, no!" cried his mother, but he was determined to become the next king of Wakanda.
Not because he hated his brother, no. He loved T'Chaka with all his heart. But his older brother was too much like their father. They didn't saw what he saw when he traveled abroad. They clung to the old ways and old ideas. They feared the world outside. They only cared about Wakanda, turning blind eye to the world outside.
N'Jobu knew he will be better king than T'Chaka. He will care not only for Wakanda but for their people everywhere. If to do that he needed to fight his brother, so be it.
"I accept your challenge," said T'Chaka blankly. He couldn't believe it.
Betrayal hurt more than punches he received from his brother. T'Chaka was too distracted. Too heartbroken. Too confused.
He lost.
"Yield!" begged N'Jobu, holding his knife to T'Chaka's throat. As much as he wanted to win he didn't want it to be over his brothers dead body.
"I yield."
T'Chaka didn't want to stand up, to see his brother crowned. He was defeated and it would've been the best fate for him to die. But he loved his brother still and didn't want to turn him into a murderer.
He spared N'Jobu from becoming a kin-slayer.
When T'Chaka finally stood up and looked to the crowd, N'Jobu was hugging their mother.
T'Chaka knew there was no place for him in Wakanda anymore. He will leave and never return.
Now
"Hey, Charles! So how was last night? Did you get that stunning woman agree to go on a second date with you?"
"No need for that," he said and winked at his colleague.
"Oh you!" Everett laughed. Charles had quite a reputation of being lady's man and he lived up to it. Everett was glad they didn't play in the same field.
"Better tell me how was your day today? Is it true boss wanted to see you?"
"Yeah. I'm getting a promotion, I think? Or maybe it's a punishment for that fuck up with a mission in Miami. Which was totally your fault by the way."
"Hey!" he protested. It might've been his fault but he'll never admit it.
"Anyway, you're looking at the new CIA's liaison in Wakanda!" Everett spinned around demonstratively.
Everett still wasn't sure how he felt about this assignment. Everyone knew Wakanda was the most technologically advanced nation on Earth.
35 years ago no one even heard of this small African country. It was closed from the world and pretty hostile to foreigners. And then little by little new king opened his country, starting with refugee programs and foreign aid.
Over time Wakanda singlehandedly solved problems such as AIDS and cancer. Millions of lives were saved. The world was stunned. Everyone wanted to see Wakanda. To learn more about it. But the king wisely limited the information they shared. Even now only few chosen scientists had access to Wakandan technology and research.
And, of course, Wakanda was the wet dream of every intelligence agency on Earth. CIA used every opportunity to put their people there. Now, apparently, it was his turn. Everett knew that all his predecessors failed. His mission was almost certainly doomed.
"When do you start?" Charles hoped Everett haven't noticed the slight change in his tone.
"Prince N'Jadaka plans to visit New York next week. I will meet him and play the glorified baby sitter. Then, if everything goes fine, I'll go to Wakanda as part of his entourage."
Next week then. He was ready. He waited for this opportunity ever since he learned his father's true name, his true name. T'Challa will take back what is rightfully his.
"Are you ready to meet Wakandan royalty?" asked Charles. How lucky he was to made friends with Everett Ross. This man was his key to Wakanda.
"I guess I am," said Everett a bit nervously. "I saw Prince N'Jadaka's picture. He's handsome."
Everett tried to lighten the mood with this remark but instead Charles got even more serious. Maybe he was afraid Everett was so desperate to get laid he'll fuck up this assignment. But Everett was certain Prince N'Jadaka won't even look at him twice. Why would an heir to the throne of the wealthiest nation on Earth be interested in the likes of him?
Doesn't meant one can't dream. Maybe he'll be the next Megan Markle. That thought was so ridiculous Everett laughed out loud.
Charles looked at Everett curiously. Perhaps his plan can be improved. It depended on whether or not N'Jadaka liked his lovers male and white.
If he has to become the best wingman the world have ever seen to get under N'Jadaka's skin, he will do it. He will put his best effort to get his cousin interested in Everett Ross.
"Want to go grab some lunch? We can talk about your new assignment," offered Charles.
"Yeah, lunch sounds good," said Everett, blissfully unaware that he just became the pawn that threatened to take down the king.