Chapter 3

The Avengers boarded the Quinjet and prepared to leave Wakanda. But before it took off, Shuri ran to her brother's side.

“How long will you be gone?” she asked.

“As long as it takes to clear my name,” Black Panther answered. Shuri suddenly seemed anxious. The gravity of taking on her brother's responsibilities had finally hit her. “You'll do fine, Shuri. Trust me,” he reassured her.

Captain Marvel nodded from the cockpit of the Quinjet, signaling that it was time to go. Black Panther joined his fellow Avengers, waving at Shuri from the window.

“Be safe, brother,” Shuri whispered to the sky.

Aboard the Quinjet, Black Panther, Captain Marvel, and War Machine gathered around a holographic video display as Captain America briefed the team. “This footage was taken at a S.H.I.E.L.D. installation somewhere in the United States. The location is highly classified,” he explained. “Even I don't know.”

“S.H.I.E.L.D. and their secrets,” Black Panther said.

The group watched as an individual dressed exactly like Black Panther stealthily made his way around the perimeter of the ordinary-looking site.

He swiftly took out two S.H.I.E.L.D. agents with a barrage of intense, focused strikes.

“This guy is good,” Captain Marvel said.

The group watched as the imposter entered the facility. He was looking for something. Soon he discovered a private laboratory, filled with numerous mechanical devices. The imposter scanned the area and soon found his prize: a thin metal bracelet. Four more S.H.I.E.L.D. agents entered the room. The Avengers watched as the imposter mimicked Black Panther's fighting style to the letter. After defeating the agents, the imposter snatched the metal bracelet.

“Zoom in on that bracelet,” Black Panther said. “What does it do?”

“That is top secret,” Captain America answered.

“S.H.I.E.L.D. won't tell us. We can assume it's very dangerous.”

Before the imposter slipped away into the night, he stopped and stared directly into the closed-circuit camera.

“He knows he's being watched,” Black Panther said.

“And he doesn't seem to mind,” War Machine added.

Captain America ended the surveillance video.

“Do you believe that I've committed this crime?” asked Black Panther.

“Of course not,” Captain America said.

Black Panther became agitated. “Your justification is lacking, Captain. You know I've been in my homeland. It's easily verifiable. S.H.I.E.L.D. has an entire Helicarrier filled with technology. Tell them to use it,” he exclaimed. “I'm done here. Take me back to Wakanda at once.”

“There's one more thing you need to know,” Captain America explained. “S.H.I.E.L.D. found your DNA at the scene of the crime.”

“How is that even possible?” Captain Marvel asked.

Black Panther thought of himself as a team player, but he'd begun to wonder if joining the Avengers was more trouble than it was worth. He trusted his colleagues but he didn't trust S.H.I.E.L.D. Despite his rising anger, Black Panther did his best to remain calm. “Someone is framing me. That much is clear. What does Nick Fury think? Surely he has theories regarding this situation.”

“I've worked with Nick Fury for many years. He won't discuss specifics. This is a sensitive situation and his reasons are his own. Having said that, I was able to put together some clues based on what I know of all current and active S.H.I.E.L.D. investigations,” Captain America said.

“Come on. Spill it, Cap,” War Machine said. “What are we up against here?”

Captain America activated a holographic image of Baron Zemo. “Zemo may have been involved in some way. S.H.I.E.L.D. has been keeping an eye on him for a while now. There's a rumor he's been collecting weapons of all sorts,” he explained.

“Nothing new there,” War Machine said.

“Unfortunately, it's all we've got for the moment,” Captain America said. “Once we arrive at the Helicarrier, I hope we'll receive some new and better information.”

Black Panther's confusion increased. “I have no quarrel with Zemo. Why then would he seek to set me up?”

“Because he's a jerk,” Captain Marvel offered.

“He probably didn't get enough hugs when he was a kid,” War Machine said.

Black Panther was tired of jokes.

“I'll meet with Fury to prove my innocence,” Black Panther said. “Then we'll find this imposter and end this.”

“That's the spirit,” Captain America said. “You'll be home in no time.”

Beep! Beep! Beep!

The Quinjet received an incoming transmission from Nick Fury himself.

“Speak of the devil,” Captain Marvel said.

Fury's eyes lit up. “Black Panther, it's good to see you. Wouldn't you know it, you're robbing one of my facilities right this very moment. It's a former A.I.M. hideout. I had S.H.I.E.L.D. shut it down a while back. There's a lot of nasty stuff in this place. Being as busy as I am, I haven't had a chance to clean it out yet. Would you guys mind making a pit stop before coming to say hello? Oh, and bring that imposter back with you, too. I've got a few questions for him.”

Black Panther's eyes narrowed. “My pleasure.”