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Tonight, Nakia was in her element. She was deep undercover. She heard talk from a few women from a local village… some women and young girls had gone missing. The plan was to be taken as well. Have them lead her back to their location , and find out who was operating the trafficking ring. She had dismantled others like it before. She would do so again.This night, Nakia was dressed head to toe in a burqa, walking alone on an empty Zambian back street. A bag of miscellaneous groceries in her hand, were ready to drop at a moment’s notice. She was well aware of the two men following closely behind her. In fact, it was what she counted on. What she didn’t count on, was you.“Dada, uko vizuri?” one of the men said as he approached her from behind. Sister, are you well in Swahilli, is what he asked. Nakia scoffed internally. She thought it vile that these men would try to gain her trust by calling her ‘sister’.“Ndio Asante,” she nodded and smiled.To be honest, she expected more of a pretense from the men. In the form of chatting her up a bit more, but they were quick and to the point this time, grabbing her and pulling her toward a van that she hadn’t even noticed arrived. Nakia let her paper bag fall to the ground. She thrashed and struggled and even cursed them a little in Swahilli.What happened next even caught her off guard. She didn’t think it possible.One of the men released her from his grip, but not before a gunshot pierced the air, and his body slumped down in front of the van. It didn’t take Nakia and the other man still holding onto her, long to find the source of the bullet. A woman dressed in a simple outfit of a leather jacket and dark jeans was the holding the gun.She fired her second shot before Nakia even had time to drop to her knees, but she did so anyway. For all she knew, this woman’s next bullet could be for her. From where Nakia was, it was also a perfect position to go for the woman’s legs if she got close enough. Her and the woman locked eyes for the first time, just as the driver door opens with a clang. They both had the same thought.“Stay down,” the woman warned, and something in Nakia’s gut felt that this woman wouldn’t be directing her aim at her. She almost let her guard down. Almost.Nakia stayed in the ready, until the struggles heard between the mysterious woman and the final assailant, came to a halt.Yes, it had put a damper on her original plan, but for some reason, Nakia wasn’t upset by it. The woman was obviously skilled. Whether she could become an ally all depended on the next sixty seconds.Nakia decided to stay huddled where she is, just to see what the stranger did next. The woman didn’t just offer her hand. She got down on her knees and took Nakia’s hands in hers.“Are you alright?” she asked. “Did they hurt you?”
***
 Stop being nosy. That’s what you try to tell yourself, when you notice two sketchy looking men make their way from a shop corner, just as a lone woman exits it.All you want is to enjoy your meal in this restaurant. Have a few drinks flow through you. A little too many mules in your system, and now you have a slight buzz. You are unusually affable and calm. Courtesy of the drinks, but that is irrelevant.You're currently, running low on funds and just want to have one night where you forget your reality. It seems as though everywhere you go, you leave a trail of bodies behind. Sometimes due to no fault of your own, but bodies just the same. Maybe tonight is just another night. No need to go looking for trouble.To be fair, you would have stayed seated, but when the woman starts to move in one direction down the street, so do the men, and before you know it, you are already outside.Maybe I’ll just keep an eye on her. Make sure nothing happens on her walk home. It could be a short walk. For all you know, these men could be her neighbors that lived on the same street. You really don’t want to kill anyone tonight. It’s not exactly keeping a low profile. Which is what you needed.You notice when the men approach the woman in conversation. She smiles at them, but still something doesn’t feel right.Do you really want to get involved? The words echo in your head, but do they even come from you? You can’t tell if you are just being careful or selfish. It's hard to tell these days.Then, it all happens so fast. You’re lucky the street is dead empty at this time of night. A nondescript dark van suddenly drives up. You’re already reaching for your concealed pistol, by the time one of them dares lay a hand on her.
***
 “Are you alright?” you ask. "Did they hurt you?"The woman doesn’t respond right away, as you begin to help her off the ground. Perhaps she doesn’t understand. She just stares at you, bewildered.“Who are you?” she asks, skeptically. Her voice is accented noting the area, but she speaks in plain English. You almost laugh at the question. You expect at least a “thank you” first, for the woman that saved her ass.Instead of offering a sarcastic remark about her lack of gratitude, for some reason, you immediately get protective of your identity.“No one,” you say quickly.“I find that difficult to believe,” the woman scoffs.“Fine. I’m ex US military, if you must know. No agenda I promise. Just a gal looking out for another gal.”The woman nods her head, but seems to still have her reservations.You start to look around at your surroundings. You didn't really plan on dropping so many bodies. You wonder if someone might come looking for these men, but your most important thought is about protecting the woman. “Is there some place I can take you?”Before she can answer, the woman grabs you and pulls you to the side of the vehicle, so you are behind her. Is she protecting you now? You both crouch silently, as she raises a finger to her lips.“Mbona hujaondoka?/ Why haven’t you left?” A man shouts, as he approaches.“Looks like you forgot one," she whispers.Shit. Has this man always been close by? You have been a little off your game lately. Maybe the lack of sleep. Or lack of a good meal.If the trafficker gets close enough, he will definitely see the bodies you hadn’t disposed of yet. Causing him to shout, or go on the offence. So you wait for him to get just a bit closer, completely forgetting about the woman you need to keep safe.You are about to take him out, but before you can, the woman lunges up from beside you and incapacitates the man before your eyes.Then it hits you.“Shit, don’t tell me. You’re an undercover War Dog, aren’t you?” You don’t know much about them besides the little he told you. “Guess he was right. I am a magnet for trouble,” you groan.“Yes," the woman confesses. "Now keep your voice down and help me hide these bodies.”The two of you swiftly conceal the bodies into the back of the vehicle. During a trip to and froe, you notice a knapsack in the front passenger seat. You wonder what it contains. Money? Drugs?When you finish with the last body, the woman carefully confiscates what she can from the van, and gestures for you to follow her. Once far enough away, you finally turn to the woman again.“Look, I didn’t mean to get in your way. I had no idea...”“Doesn’t matter now," she brushes you off. "My name is Nakia, and yes, I am a War Dog. I also have a proposition for you.”You have a feeling you know what she’s going to ask. “I can’t,” you interrupt. “I’m trying to lay low for a bit.” You know damn well that now isn’t the time to be doing anything that could draw attention to yourself.Nakia continues. “Someone with your skill would be of great value to me. I know you could have just walked away, but you didn’t. You decided to help, and that says a lot. Help me again. Just this once, then go back to running or hiding or whatever you were doing.”You sigh. “If I were to help, where would you have me go?”“Nigeria," she responds.“I’m trying to leave Africa actually. Someone I don’t want to see… he’s here, so I would prefer if I wasn’t."“I understand,” Nakia pauses, but then you can see the gears in her head turning. “... but something tells me you won’t make it far without money.”“Who says I need money?” you ask with a shrug.“You’re here in Lusaka. If you really wanted to leave Africa as quickly as you say, you wouldn’t be laying low. You’d be on a plane out of here already.”“Right,” you laugh.“Plus, you’ve been eyeing that bag in my hand, ever since we started loading the bodies. You don’t even know what’s inside.”“Ok, fine. What if you’re right?”“If you help me with this, I can offer you payment. I also feel I can trust you. Bast knows why.” She pauses, eyeing you as if she is considering something. “I know a place you can go while you get your affairs in order. No one will find you there.”“Where is that? A safe house or something. I don’t know...” you shrug.“My home. It’s a small country called Wakanda.”You start to smile, then a cheeky giggle escapes your lips that lasts for too long.“You’re Wakandan?” You finally say. “What are the chances?” It felt as though God was playing a practical joke on you.Nakia looks at you, confused as to why you find it so humorous.“Oh, I’ve heard a few things about your country,” you tell her.From the look on Nakia’s face, you can tell she isn’t pleased.“Oh yeah? What do you know?” she questions, folding her arms warily, as she moves closer to you.“He wouldn’t shut up about it,” you explain. “If he could see me now.” You are mostly talking to yourself. “All he could talk about was your god damn vibranium,” you chuckle.“What did you say?” Suddenly, Nakia is grabbing you by the shoulders. You haven’t even realized what you just confessed to knowing.“Who exactly is the man you are referring to?” She asks. “Who told you about our vibranium?”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Tonight, you had another nightmare. You jerk up out of bed in a cold sweat. Your heart is racing like you've been on a mile long run. You always seem to wake up in a panic these days. Even if there was no dream. You would still wake up scared and anxious. Always on edge. Like the world was coming to an end. Klaue would sometimes tease you by asking if the government had come to kill you in your dreams. You would tell him to fuck off. Passed it off as PTSD. You could never let him know that he was often the reasonUnable to fall back asleep, you leave your bed in the deep basement of the warehouse, and head for the stairs. Two floors above you, there is a window you can get fresh air from. Most of the windows in the place were covered, but not this one. You could look out and see the Egyptian city still quietly bustling before you.He said next time, you’ll get a window in your room. For emergencies and so you wouldn’t feel so trapped. The fact that he was being so nice bothered you. You wanted him to keep being an ass. To make things easier. You wanted to keep hating him.There’s movement upstairs. Somewhere above you, Klaue and his men were keeping busy. At fucking 2 AM. You aren’t concerning yourself with whatever he is up to this time. Not after what happened last week. He’s let you do nothing for the moment.When you reach the window, you start to feel calmer. It’s already open, so the cool breeze hit you before you even got there. The sound of late night car horns and sirens flood your ears. That also seems to relax you.Suddenly, you feel a hand firmly squeeze your shoulder. A bolt of electricity courses through your body. Absolute terror. You jolt to the side to see Klaue, standing there. You hadn’t even heard him come in. You instinctively jump backward, away from his grip.“Shit,” you exclaim. Klaue lets out a hysterical laugh. “God damn, you are one jumpy woman,” he says.“I thought I was alone,” you state, after settling down.“You sure? “ Klaue asks, moving closer to you. “I don’t make you nervous, do I?"Your heart starts to beat faster, but you don’t step back from him, like your gut is telling you to. Instead, you narrow your eyes at him.“You wish you did,” you state defiantly.Klaue smiles wickedly. "So tell me? What are you doing out here in the dark by yourself, eh?” he asks.Before you can answer, a voice calls out Klaue’s name. You both look over, to see a man you’ve come to know as Matthias, standing in the doorway. He has dark eyes and curls that cascade his forehead. Abnormally pretty for a mercenary.“We’ve gotten word about someone who claims to know the location of a vibranium weapon.”“Are you shitting me?” Klaue asks, stalking over to Matthias, his voice full of intrigue.“An American. He wants to meet with you.”Klaue turns to you, his eyes bright. “This is amazing news,” he shouts. “I told you about the stuff my arm is made of... This is it. If we got our hands on it, do you know how much money we could sell it for?”You just shrug and smile. Vibranium was still so new to you. You had no idea of its worth or the demand for it.Unable to contain his excitement, Klaue grabs onto Matthias, who looks visibly uncomfortable by the display. “Where is this American, eh?”Once he is released, Matthias says, “We hear he’s already in Giza. Do you want to arrange a meet with him?”“No,” Klaue cuts him off.“You want us to check to see if he’s legit, first?” he asks.“Yes,” Klaue nods hastily, flailing his hand. “Quickly.”Matthias nods.“And she is going with you,” Klaue adds. “Go make the arrangements.”  When Matthias leaves, you shoot Klaue a look.“Yes, yes. That means no more sitting on your ass.” His tone is curt, but you know he’s only trying to rile you up. “Relax.” he assures you. “You let me know if he’s okay and then we’ll proceed.”

“Isn’t that what your goons are for?” you question.“You think I trust their judgment?” Klaue asks. “They’re idiots. You’re not.”“So you admit you employ idiots, then? What does that say about you?”“Well that’s only ‘cuz they’re cheaper,” Klaue scoffs. “And it says nothing about me, except that I’m frugal of course.”“Oh,” you say, a small smile forming on your lips.“So can you do this for me or what?” Klaue asks you, serious this time.You glance to the side in thought, before nodding wordlessly. To think you only met this man about a year ago. In some horrific twist of fate. He defended you, then you later saved him from a bullet. Finding out you were ex military was originally what peaked his interest in you. Then, once you admitted you were a wanted woman, you swore he fell in love right there.  Yeah, he was odd, eccentric and a bit scary, but he gave you money and a place to stay when you were stranded in a foreign country with nothing.So yes, you would do this one small thing for him… again.This is the last time, you tell yourself...but you’ve said that before.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

You went on a few undercover ops for the military in the past, so playing a role was nothing new to you. In your daily life, sometimes you weren’t as confident as you would like, but whenever a job required you to be, you could always turn it on. Nowadays working with Klaue, you had to be on at all times. No hesitation. No fear. It was what he expected of you. It’s who you lead him to believe you were. It could get exhausting at times.During the car ride to the meeting with the American, you can’t help but notice Vito’s eyes on you from the back seat. Every time you so much as glanced behind, there he was - staring. His dark eyes glowered into you, every time you so much as turned your head. While most of Klaue’s men were smart enough to keep their displeasure toward your presence to themselves, he was not.You haven’t been working with Klaue that long, but it was obvious you had some pull with him. Vito didn’t like it of course. Didn’t think you were deserving of it. Sure,  the fact that you were a woman must also have something to do with it.When you finally arrive at the location of the meeting, you and Klaue’s men don’t waste any time. Matthias helps you out of the car, giving you an encouraging smile as he does. “You got this.""Quit being so nice to me. It’s not very mercenary-like of you," you banter with him.You and the team of ten men get into position. The site is a public museum. Less likely for a scene. The American was only notified of the address, about five minutes ago. That way, we could set up and be in full control of the surroundings. No surprises.Not too long after, you get word that the man is here. Led toward you by Matthias, in walks a tall, fit, black man. The American. Sporting a head with shaved sides and small dreads in a ponytail. He wore a simple black top with cargo pants. His name is Erik Stevens. You didn’t bother looking too closely at his file. You didn’t care what it said all that much. You just wanted this over with as soon as possible. You just knew that he had worked in the army like you had, and that they nicknamed him Killmonger.“Shit,” the man exclaims with a smile, as you walk over to greet him. “I wasn’t expecting a chick, with what they told me about him and all that,” he shrugs.“You’re Erik,” you say, ignoring his remark. The two of you start to walk side by side. Two of Klaue's men keep a steady pace in front of you, and two behind.“Yes, ma’am.” He nods. “You Klaue’s right hand or somethin’?” He asks after a moment.“No,” you respond. “I just work for him, same as everyone else here.”“But he’s sent you to speak on his behalf though, right?”“Yes,” you answer, simply. Erik nods to himself, then asks:“But not one of them?” He gestures to one of the men trailing inconspicuously in front of you. "Why not?”You pause in front of a large fountain, feeling his men are far enough away that you can speak somewhat freely.“That's because he’s smart. Klaue’s men are loyal to money only. Not him.”“But you are?” Erik asks, raising an eyebrow. He follows your lead and lowers his voice slightly. “Loyal to him?”You can’t help but smirk a little before you reply. You have to bite your tongue to keep from saying what you really want to.  “Let's just say, I don’t help Klaue for the money.” You avoid answering the question directly.Erik’s eyes glisten with intrigue. “What you in love or some shit?” he jokes.Your mouth fights the urge to smirk again, but it's clear he's enjoying this. Not wanting to waste any more time discussing it, you change the subject. “Tell me about the vibranium.”Erik explains how he found the vibranium, and how he hopes to obtain it. You just listen. Nodding when appropriate. Asking a few questions here and there. He even shows you the photographs he took of it. At this point, you’ve completely stopped strolling now.When he’s done, he crosses his arms in satisfaction. A pleased look on his face. As you look up at him, the gears in your head are turning.You’ve had this gut feeling for a while now. That he’s lying about something. Anything or everything, you aren't sure, but as soon as you saw him, you settled on giving him the green light despite whatever came out of his mouth. You don’t know why, but you just aren’t buying his whole laid back American jarhead routine. When it came to transactions like this, most people would fake confidence, intelligence or even try and pretend to be more professional than they were, but Erik isn’t bothering with any of that. Not even a little. Why? It is almost like he's trying to put the people around him at ease. Make himself seem dumber and less of a threat, than he is. You can always tell when someone is playing a role. The questions he asked about your status... he wasn’t just curious or being playful. He wanted useful information. An advantage.You still haven’t given a response yet, but from the look in his eye, you can see he is slightly worried. He must have guessed that you can see through his façade. You can’t bullshit, a bullshitter, so they say. With one single word, whatever plan he had, could be shot down by you, the so-called “right-hand”. Under any normal circumstance, you would have, but this isn’t one of those times. Not with what you needed to do, and not with the way Erik is looking at you. He’s waiting to see what you’ll say.
You do wonder. If you could see the dishonesty in him...could he see it in you too?
Regardless, you call Matthias over with a gesture.He turns to you, to see what your verdict is. You nod at him, then turn to face Erik.“We’ll set up an official meeting with Klaue within the week. We’ll contact you soon, so be ready.”Erik seems almost surprised at how easy it was. Maybe he expected more uncertainty from you or at least more rules or instruction.He must think to himself: if she knows I'm being dishonest, why would she agree so easily? Then, he lets out a small chuckle as he nods to himself as if confirming something. If he didn’t get it before, he for sure does now.He’s a pretender, and now he knows you are one too.Reaching for your cell, you let the other men know it’s time to depart, as you head for the exit with the small group of men you came with.“See you soon,” Erik calls out to you.You pause in your tracks for a second and don’t respond, before you keep walking. Unlikely, you think to yourself. Whatever Killmonger wants with Klaue, you won’t stick around to find out. 
***
”That easy, eh?” Vito asks as you all load back into the vehicles. You don’t respond to him. You never usually do.Once back at Klaue’s hideout, he doesn’t waste time finding you once you arrive through the doors.“What news do you have for me?” he asks, placing an arm around your shoulder as you walk. “Does this Erik guy, check out?”“Yes, and you can meet him for yourself next week. Matthias is taking care of it,” you reply.Reaching for the messenger bag across your hip, you take out the photos for Klaue to examine.“You can take a look at the photos in here. I’ll see you later.”You start heading downstairs to where your room is, when you hear Vito’s voice. “Klaue, can I speak with you?”“What is it?”You turn around to see your rival standing beside Klaue. Once Vito notices you, he makes sure to look directly at you, while he speaks.“She trusts the American, but I think he’s a waste of time.”Klaue nods his head. “So you think she’s wrong about him? Why is that?”“He’s an imbecile and I think he’s lying about the vibranium. You shouldn’t have sent her to speak on your behalf.”Klaue steps closer to him. “I see, do you think I should have sent you to deal with it, then?”Vito doesn’t respond, just as Klaue makes eye contact with you. “If you have a problem with her, take it to her, not me.”
Shit.
With that, Klaue takes a step back. He was rarely ever serious. Most days he wavers between manic, excitable, or just plain deranged. You usually avoid him then. If he ever seems unusually calm, despite how short the moment was, it is usually because he is up to no good. It's his thing. He enjoys testing you. Pushing you. Prodding you. To see how you respond to things. He likes seeing you get feisty. Maybe he gets off on it.Vito hesitates, looking to Klaue for a moment, before he turns to look back at you, as you start back down the stairs toward him.Klaue stands there like a spectator. A few others stop to look as well.What the hell were you going to say to him? You take a deep breath. Don’t wait for him to come to you. End it before it starts.“You seem upset, Vito,” you call out. “Is Daddy not giving you enough attention?”You just attacked his masculinity. This could go one of two ways. Avoidance or…Within a few strides, Vito is in your face.
...Violence.
You don’t show fear. You stopped showing that a long time ago. You think you just may have to fight this man, and you really don’t want to. Not here. Not now. Suddenly, Matthias is by your side, taking an assertive step closer."Do you really want to do this now...with me standing right here?"

"All you ever do is pick apart and question everything she does." Matthias tries to take another step forward, but you put your hand out against his abdomen, to stop him from progressing further."It's fine. I got it." You turn back to your aggressor. “You can have your opinions, but If Klaue wanted you in charge, you would be,” you say, defiantly. "Now... exactly what do you think I got wrong?"You decide to try for a more diplomatic approach to see what happens. Vito’s stance relaxes a bit, maybe the reasonable nature of your question confused him, but he clearly doesn't want a fight with you and Matthias together. “That American is nothing but bad news," he states, still visibly heated. "How can you not see that?”“And so what if he is?” you spit back. “Can we not handle one dumb American?”Vito stares you down for a few moments, before finally backing up and walking away.
You made him look weak.
Once the men have started to drift off, you notice Klaue is still watching you with an amused expression on his face.“What is it...?” you question.“Just wondering if I was Daddy in that scenario?”At first, you were just one big ball of anxiety, but Klaue’s joke, puts you at ease.“The one and only,” you tease back.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

After a few hours of being in that place, you decide you can’t take it any longer. You need some air and a hot meal. For a split second, you think of grabbing a backpack for just in case you needed to flee, but you don’t need that kind of suspicion on you. You just want a drink. You reach for your wallet instead, that you kept hidden under a broken piece of concrete flooring in your room. Along with a few other things you didn’t want found.“Going somewhere?” Klaue asks, just as you reach the double door exit. He is standing above on the second floor, looking down from the railing.You turn around and face him. “Just to a bar to clear my head.”“Don’t tell me you let Vito get to you.” He sounds almost concerned.“Of course not. I just need something to do and you won’t let me near anything of interest.""Not yet. I have something better in mind,” Klaue assures you. “But don’t be too long. I need you back here."“Aye aye, Sir.”Satisfied, Klaue leaves you be and you disappear with what little daylight you have left. 
***
 “Tell me it wasn’t a mistake sending you.” A figure dressed in jeans and a short sleeve, came and sat beside you at the bar, as soon as you arrived. You don’t look at him. You just continue sipping your drink.“Why are you here? If I wanted to meet with you, I would have let you know,” you respond, bitterly. Your handler had given you a burner phone with only one number that you kept well hidden. You didn’t even want the damn thing, but when you needed to use it, you did.The man to your right, chuckles dryly. “That’s funny, considering it’s been a few weeks now since I’ve heard from you.”“Clearly I didn’t want to meet with you then.”“Look, I wouldn’t need to do this if you kept up your end of the deal. You -” The man’s volume starts to increase slightly. He glances around to make sure no one is close enough to listen.

“Careful, Ross,” you say cutting him off, with a sly smile. “You don’t want to cause a scene.”He stops himself, remembering where you are. “The CIA wanted me to send people in to arrest the both of you, saying you’ve turned. I convinced them to wait.”You turn to get a good look at him for the first time.“How noble of you, considering you forced me into this mess." You let out a dry laugh. "You couldn't even if you wanted to. You said we're outsiders in this country. No noise," you add with a cocky grin.“Why exactly did you stop contacting me?” the man asks. His eyes are on you and he doesn't look happy, nor any visible regard for your contempt for him.“Why? Because it’s exhausting to have to keep secrets. To sneak around, to watch your back all the time. I’ve been absolutely terrified of being found out. You sent me to a goddamn madman and it doesn’t seem to bother you.”“I didn’t send you to him. You made friends with him first, remember?” He reminds you.You try not to dwell on it. He was right. You did acquaint yourself with Klaue first, but you didn’t know who he was back then. Now you are stuck pretending to be someone you’re not.“I have some information for you. Something big maybe. For Klaue at least. He is teaming up with some American to find more vibranium. After that he plans to sell it.”“That’s it? No names? No locations?”“It’s too early for that. Anyway, I won’t be a part of it, so I couldn’t help you anyway,” you shrug. Sure you could give him Erik’s name, but you figure if you acted clueless, he might not ask anymore of you.“No, are you kidding? You have to go with them.”“I’m done with this, Ross,” you hiss quietly, but close enough so he can hear you well.  “You can’t help me,” you add solemnly. “All you did is waste my time.”Ross shakes his head. “Now you know that isn’t true. I want you home just as much ...”“Save it,” you cut him off. “No one’s buying your patriot act. Best I can do is give you the URL to the bidding site. Work your magic to find out who is buying it. After that, I’m disappearing.”“Really? I thought you wanted your name cleared, and the CIA they don’t think you’ve given enough to secure that yet.”“You have to be joking. All those names and secret meetings I told you about. I should have known it would never be good enough. Everything out of your mouth was bullshit.” Your rage is boiling now. It takes everything in you to keep it together.He says your name as if you are friends, then, “Look.”There he goes, about to explain the importance of the situation and how much good you'd be doing. You decide that today is the day. He isn't going to change your mind so easily this time."You said this would be a short job, remember?" 
***
  
One Year Ago

The words “war criminal” being used to describe you, sounds like some sick joke to be honest. Yet here you are, hiding out in Marrakesh, being hailed those very words. You know you can’t go home. That’s where a prison cell is waiting for you. What you need is a way out of this mess, but when have you ever gotten what you needed?

You sit in a dark nightclub, only lit up by the flashing of purple and blue strobe lights. You are way too distracted tonight to give much attention to a man who gets too close to you, trying to chat you up. Clearly unable to take a hint. You’ve had too much to drink and your patience is wearing thin. So when you throw a drink in his face, you know exactly what’s to come and you’re ready for it.

Usually you have to handle your shit all on your own, so it’s a welcome surprise to have someone step in on your behalf.

He’s an older man. Dark haired. Weathered by the years, but strong with a sort of magnetism about him. You watch more with intrigue than anything else as delivers blow after blow, while the patrons look on in fear and excitement.

When the creep’s friend steps in, you reluctantly join the brawl and take them both down together.

Once it’s all over, the two of you look at each other. Suddenly, you burst out laughing and you think this could have been the moment that potentially sealed your fate.

“Where did a pretty thing like you, learn to fight like that?” The white South African was clearly enamoured by you.

“Military,” you answer, not thinking. “Well ex-military. Now I’ve been dishonourably discharged...wanted for murder,” you add. "I've been bad."

You only say it because you’re a little tipsy, half expecting the man to assume you’re speaking in jest anyway, but there’s a sort of twinkle in his eye.

He introduces himself as Ulysses Klaue.

You spend the evening chatting about misadventures and what a mean right hook you have. You don’t remember most of it. It all feels like some fever dream anyway. When the night is over, he asks you to work for him.

“As what exactly?” you ask, with an inebriated smile.

“My personal bodyguard. I like watching you fight.”

You know he’s kidding, but you respond to it anyway. “You can handle yourself clearly,” you tell him.

Then his tone becomes more serious. “I have other jobs available for someone like you. All of my employees are paid well.”

The money sounds appealing, but it sounds like a fantasy to be honest.

“I’ll think about it,” you answer, as more of a courtesy than anything. You get back to your drink.

“Alnihaya in the Souk District.”

“What?” you ask. You aren’t sure you hear him correctly, but it sounds like a location.

“If you ever change your mind... or run out of money.”

You stare at him bewildered for a moment, but he’s already fixing to leave.

“I wouldn’t take too long, girl.”

You watch him as he makes his exit, leaving you alone again by the bar.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

A few days later, you are seated in an outdoor café. Enjoying the warm air and sunshine of the Moroccan weather. Suddenly, someone takes a seat in the chair in front of you. Your blood runs cold when you realize who it is.

Everett Ross.

This is it, you think. You’re headed to prison today.  All you can think about is how unprepared you are.

“Y/N, it’s good to see you again,” Ross greets you with a smile.

Seated before you was the man who tried recruiting you into a CIA program a few years back. Too bad nothing ever came of it. Maybe you can talk your way out of this if you’re quick enough. He was always nice to you.

“I feel like I should explain...”

He doesn’t give you the chance. “So a wanted murderer and an illegal arms dealer walk into the bar. Can anyone tell me what happens next?”

You understood the first part, but illegal arms dealer. “What are you on about?”

He slides over a photograph.  In it, is the man from a few days ago. The one who helped you.

“Him? I only just met him, I have no idea who he is or what he’s into,” you inform Ross.

“Really?” he asks, but you can tell he doesn’t buy it.

“Yes. Why don’t you pull up the rest of the CCTV and see? Our first meeting was that night. I’m trying to not be found. Why would I knowingly get involved with a criminal?”

Ross seems to be pondering your words, so he keeps his mouth shut.  He must buy your ignorance, because he eventually decides to fill you in.

“He’s Ulysses Klaue. Prominent thief, assassin and illegal arms dealer,” Ross specifies.

“We are not well acquainted. He just helped me fight off some heckler at the bar,” you explain. “I could have taken care of it, but I thought what the hell. Let’s see what happens. We got drunk together sure, but then we went our separate ways.”

“Well, that’s even better then.”

“Why?” You look at him, warily.

He ignores your question, in favour of one of his own. “You still interested in working with the CIA?”

“You want this man, I’m guessing.”

“You would have guessed correctly,” Ross commends you with a nod of his head.

“I would get something in return, I hope.”

He doesn’t seem too impressed by your request. His eyes drift to the ground for a moment, before looking back up at you. He gives you a forced grin.

“Whatever I can do for someone with your ... history.”

You let out a heavy sigh. “That’s exactly it. What they’re saying I did in Tunisia. It didn’t happen that way at all.”

“Oh?” Ross asks. “Well I’ve got time. Tell me about it.”

Shoot. You know you’ll have to tell the truth if you want him on your side, but you’re still reluctant to dredge things up again. Too many painful memories.

“Do you want the help or not?”

You hesitate for a moment, weighing your other options. “Alright, I’ll tell you.”

You begin.

"We had been stationed in Sousse, Tunisia, for over six months. Now, I wasn’t the best soldier in the world, but I was good enough. I was adequate in combat, performed my duty and followed instructions well. In all that time, I had gotten really close with my unit, my lieutenant, but also someone named Carter Davenport. He was like a brother to me. He grew to become one of my best friends.”

You almost clam up, but decide to push through, despite this.

“As for our Lieutenant, Braun, well everyone loved him. He was a hard ass, but fair. He had an easiness about him that made people trust him. Of course it helped that he was attractive as well, but maybe that was just in my case.” A bittersweet smile forms on your lips.”

“One night, we’re relaxing at some remote bar in town. All of our unit had called it a night, but I convinced Carter to stay a while longer with us. We’ve been drinking, having a good time, just the three of us. That’s when Braun comes to us about a job.”

“He says it entails travelling to the city of Tunis, and taking care of a little problem for some official. Now, we had only just finished our last assignment and were about to pack it in, so we’re both confused of course. That’s when he tells us it’s off the books and someone he knew would be bankrolling it.”

You continue.

“Of course Carter isn’t hearing any of it. He was one of the good ones. Me, I’m just sitting there. I’m confused and shocked, but I’m silent. Just wondering how someone I admired and respected so much, could be involved with anything so shady. This whole time their arguing, I haven’t said a word yet. Then, Carter mentions filing a report. That’s when all hell breaks loose.”

Ross visibly stirs in his seat.

“There’s a fight of course, but we’re all jar heads so weapons are drawn. Not mine though. Didn’t have it on me. I don’t know who shoots first, but I do know that Carter ends up with a bullet in his chest and leg. I didn’t even realize when I got hit myself. I don’t even know if Braun had planned to do it or misfired. He probably didn’t expect for things to take a turn the way they did. Regardless, what’s done is done. All I know was that my body felt like it was on fire. And all I could think about was that my friend was dying and I couldn't even be with them.”

“I was losing consciousness quickly. It was all panic and chaos. People do run when they hear the sound of gunshots...and Braun he did try to run. Without his gun, as it so happens. Guess which smart-ass picks it up? I may have been too stunned to something before...but after that I made sure I fired one bullet out, even if it was just once.”

“I black out and wake up not in a hospital, thank God, but the home of a nurse. A woman named Aisha Farrar. I don’t mention my predicament yet, as to not get her involved, but she’s been taking care of me this whole time and turns out she saw the whole thing.”

“I think Braun expected for me to die that night. Days later when I’m still recovering, I find out he’s pinned the entire thing on me and that I’m wanted on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.”

“We don’t talk about it much, but we both agree we can’t go to the police just yet. Too much fraud and corruption. We didn’t trust the embassy either. Come one night, when we’re woken up by men dressed in dark colours, trying to get in.”

“Police?” Ross asks.

“Not police. No, these guys were professional, but it is clear they wanted me dead. I took out as many as I could, but I didn’t want Aisha hurt, so we separated. I don’t know what happened to her after that. I continued to hide out and here we are.”

You turn to study Agent Ross’s face. His emotions are guarded, but he seems to believe you.

“I must admit I feel much better asking for your help now that I know all that,” he finally says. “The idea of you going rogue, didn't sit right with me.”

“Sure, now you say that.”

Ross chuckles a bit. “Look, if you assist me with Klaue, I will use all my CIA resources to look into what really happened with your lieutenant and clear your name.”

You sigh in relief. “OK great. I’ll give you the location he gave me. If he is as infamous as you say he is, he likely arranges meetings from there.”

Ross shakes his head. “That isn’t going to work. I was thinking more along the lines of infiltration.”

He can’t be serious.

“You want to arrest him, right?”

“Not right away,” Ross clarifies.

“You just said he’s a dangerous criminal. You won’t arrest him yet, you just want me to be a mole for you. Do you know how risky that is?”

“I’m very aware of that fact, Y/N… but he has a lot of useful information in that deranged mind of his,” he states. “We take him in, he isn’t just going to disclose all that information. Yeah, we have ways of getting all that, but If we want real information, we have to get it while he thinks it isn’t being given.”

You can only just stare at Ross with a look of disgust in your eyes. Part of you feels walking off, but your desperation keeps you right where you are.

“I promise it won’t be for long. It’s clear he likes you. Use that,” he instructs.

“I met him when I was drunk and had a mild death wish. I’m not sure sober me is gonna make the cut.”

Ross doesn't seem to care about any reservations you have or if you might have difficulty. None of that is a concern to him. “Convince him.” His tone is blunt and to the point.
“Do I have a choice? Yes or no?” you question him with a sigh.

“Truthfully. No. Not at all.”
 
***
  When you find Alnihaya, it’s just a small restaurant on the outskirts of town. Which from it’s appearance, you can tell hardly gets any visitors. You don’t even believe this is the correct place, but still you walk in and ask to see Klaue anyway, half expecting them to have no idea who you’re talking about.
Instead, the man behind the counter calls for someone in the back room who then pats you down and searches you for any weapons. Clearly, you are in the right place after all.

Then the owner gestures towards the bar for you to take a seat. One lone customer is eating some local delicacy in one of the booths, but they pay you no mind. Like this is normal for them.

You are waiting for over an hour. Just when you think of giving up and calling it quits, the door chimes signal the presence of someone entering the premise just behind you.

Before you can turn around, a voice calls out to you.

“Well well well, what a lovely surprise.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

PRESENT DAY
“I know what I said," Ross answers. "But you can’t just walk away from this now. We’ve come too far.”You hate the fact that he is insinuating you were some sort of team in this. You’re the one doing all the work...taking all the risk. Yet Ross is adamant about you keeping up this charade.“How much longer till I’m done, then?”The short hesitation tells you all you need to know.“A man like Klaue will never fold while in custody. All his secrets will stay buried with him. You know that.”He is trying to justify things, but you’ve grown tired of hearing the same spiel.“Yeah, you’ve said that,” you remind him. “But how long can your little plan last? Be honest with me and yourself.”Ross watches you, as if he’s deciding on what more lies and promises he can sell you, that you’ll actually believe. That’s when you realize he will always be asking you for just one more week, month, year... time and time again. You’ll never be free. How could you ever begin to heal from all the things you’ve had to do, just to prove your loyalty? Ross doesn’t care. All he is concerned about is having a full file to show his bosses.Your mind is made. You begin to slide from your seat, placing a few bills in front of you.  “Right... I’ll just take my chances as a war criminal then.”You start to stand, but Ross isn’t finished with you yet.“And what will you tell Klaue exactly? The man whose criminal enterprise you’ve been under for almost a year...You think you can just up and leave in the middle of the night?” He proposes a real question you admit you haven’t given much though to. “That isn’t happening .”He continues. “How do you think that ends for you?”“I don’t know yet, but I’ll figure something out.” You’re out of your chair now and fixing to leave, but Ross doesn’t let up on trying to convince you.“You know too much. About his movements....how he operates...his plans...what he’s been up to.” His voice is desperate now. “So how about I tell you how it all ends?”His words stop you in your tracks. You assume that’s what he meant to do.  You did know too much.You look back at Ross now. Not with animosity or bitterness this time. Just genuine defeat. You’re so tired. You just want to make a clean break. Now after all this, to hear you are probably screwed anyway, is like a punch to the gut.Strangely enough, when your eyes meet his, for the first time, you see a flicker of more than just a sense of duty. He swallows hard, and turns away. For the first time, he is no longer able to meet your gaze. You didn’t think it possible.Then he sighs. "You still near the same dock?"You nod at him wordlessly."Good. Give me three days then.”At first, you don’t register the gravity of what he just said. Three days for what exactly?  Why would they arrest Klaue before the vibranium sale happens? Then, you realize what he’s suggesting. Ross is willing to forgo the sale altogether. To pull the plug entirely, just to get you out.You are unable to speak for a few moments as you gather your thoughts. The entire time, you try to keep your face indifferent. Not get too excited. It hasn’t happened yet.“I will personally arrange for your extraction and overseeing of Klaue’s immediate detainment.”He still isn’t looking at you, but you don’t need him to. Ross has never been an amiable man. You know he isn’t going to squeeze your hand and smile warmly. He lets his words and actions speak for themselves.“Of course I’ll have to come up with a plan to get him isolated and to minimize casualties, but...”“Three days,” you repeat Ross’s words. You don’t think he will ever truly know the weight of what he just lifted from you. 
***

[song lyrics begin] Gold in your eyes

Dancing like fire

Dreamer trapped by your desires

Turns you into stone

The light you stole

River turns to dust

Miles on the run

Everywhere you go

Can't find no home

All the world you roam

Turns you into stone[song lyrics end]
When you arrive back at the base, you can immediately tell that something is wrong. Voices are loud and speaking in urgent tones. Heavy footsteps move about from different areas of the compound. A commotion is taking place down below, but you can’t yet determine the cause. Something’s clearly changed since you’ve been out and it worries you.You turn to one of the men passing by. “What’s going on?”“Klaue’s doing a sweep of the private rooms.” There is no hint of suspicion or malice in his voice. Just fact. This could mean no one is looking at you in particular just yet. Still, your mind is filled with panic about all the ways things could take a turn.You swiftly nod your head at the man in gratitude. You can’t let anyone see you sweat. Your heart drums loudly in your chest. Does Klaue know something? Your steps are slow, but efficient as you head down in the direction of your room. Belongings are askew on the floor. Mattresses have been stripped and turned over.  You think you may have a small chance of getting to your room before anything is found, but that thought dies, once you find Klaue and a group of men heading inside it. One of the men by his side, calls attention to you. “Hey! We’re checking you next. Do you have a problem with that?”“Do what you want, I’ll wait upstairs,” you offer. Closer to the exits, means you can make a possible quick getaway.“No, I want you here for this,” Klaue instructs. Something is off about his tone, but you can’t pinpoint what his thoughts are just yet.As the man begins to search the room, Klaue pays him no mind. Instead, his eyes are fixed on you. He’s reading you for the slightest reaction or misstep. A look of fear perhaps. Your bed is overturned. Clothes from your suitcase are thrown around. Drawers emptied. At this point in time, you aren’t worried. You know nothing will be found there.You try not to break Klaue’s gaze, but in your peripheral you can see his man removing the large Persian rug from your floor. You watch as he steps around the floor and finds the loose part.You watch as his hand feels around in the darkness. This is it, you think. Klaue is going to find out about your second phone. The one you use to contact Ross. On any other day, the phone would be clear of any evidence of your treachery. You would force yourself to memorize his number every time they changed and delete all traces, but after ghosting Ross for so long, you didn’t bother to do it this time.He finds that phone and it could be all over. The man’s hand stops moving around the space. He takes it out, but you’re shocked to find that he isn’t holding anything.“Empty,” he says.You breathe a quiet sigh of relief, but it only lasts a moment. You’re still on edge. You know that’s where you left the phone and you didn’t take that one with you when you left. That means one of two things could have happened. Either the man just lied on your behalf or it really wasn’t there. Or perhaps Klaue already found it and is just playing games. You dread thinking about what either options could mean.“Alright, everyone out,” Klaue’s voice calls you out of your daze.Once everyone is gone, he moves closer to you.“Sorry about that, I just needed to be certain about something.”“Fine with me,” you shrug. “But did something happen while I was away?”You try not to sound too inquisitive. You can see the conflict in his mind about how much to reveal. After a moment of silence, he gives in.“I’ve been warned, we may have a rat within our ranks.”He watches you attentively, to gauge your reaction. You aren’t sure if this is him letting you know that he knows it’s you, or if you’re just being paranoid. He steps beside you now, placing an arm around your shoulder.“Someone may be giving up information to the CIA about what we get up to. I can’t take any chances now.”The thought that maybe he wants to deal with you privately, crosses your mind, as he leads you out of the room.“How do you know?” you ask.“Never mind how I know.” He cuts you off. “I am sorry about the room by the way.”He’s being oddly agreeable and his demeanour is too still for what the situation calls for. A sort of calm before the storm, that you’ve learned not to trust with Klaue.“It’s fine. I’ve been meaning to redecorate anyway,” you say with a laugh. You wonder if he can sense the nervousness in it.“I wouldn’t worry yourself with any of that. We’re clearing out of this place tonight. Tomorrow we’ll be in the wind.”
This isn’t good.
“Where to?” you ask.Obviously Klaue doesn’t respond to the question you should have known better than to ask. You promptly change the subject. “What happens if you don’t find out who it is?”Klaue pauses for just a second, but doesn't respond. He instead chooses to keep walking. He storms away from you, like a man on a mission.Regardless of the turn of events, you need to contact Ross about this before he sets something in motion and you’re in a whole different set of waters by then. Your only immediate method of contact is on that phone and it’s nowhere to be found. Either Klaue has it or someone else, and both options equally terrify you.You try to keep in his sight at all times, so he doesn’t suspect any change in your behaviour. You know you need to keep things business as usual, but Klaue isn’t really letting anyone get too close to him as the search continues on. He speaks in hushed tones to some of his more seasoned men. Ones that have been around much longer than you, and you know you need to tread lightly here from now on.You enter a nondescript room, to find Matthias and a few others around lounging around. M stands by the window, but turns his head slightly, suddenly made aware that someone has entered the room.

You continue keeping a fair distance from the man in charge and everyone else, watching from the shadows. That’s when you feel someone get too close to you. You turn and see it’s Matthias. He lowers himself until he’s just beside your ear. “I believe I have something of yours.”You’re dumbstruck. Matthias is the last person you expected to be behind the missing phone. You’re having trouble finding words to respond.“If you want it back, meet me at the Port in half an hour.”He then just walks away, leaving you to stand there still in shock. Every fibre of your being tells you this could be a trap, but despite this, you know damn well you’re going to meet him anyway. If you have any chance of getting out of here safe, you need that phone.It doesn’t take long for Klaue to give the news, that he needs all men and women back here within the hour. Despite this pronouncement, you manage to slip away without anyone noticing. You’d like to believe Matthias wouldn’t hurt you, but that isn’t going to stop you from grabbing a weapon to take. It would be idiotic of you not to.You give the place one last look, before you take your leave. You can’t just sit by idly, blindly waiting on Ross’s help that is days away. Something is happening right now. So, whatever happens by the waters tonight, you know you won’t ever come back.