Chapter 94: Chapter 94: Wakanda No Forever
Aircraft, tanks, artillery, soldiers.
Under global scrutiny, the US military completed its siege of Wakanda. Yet it wasn't solely American forces—NATO allies including the United Kingdom, France, and Canada had also deployed warships and troops, hoping to claim a share of the spoils.
The Pentagon wasn't naive. These allied forces were all positioned on the front lines.
Leading the battlefield operations was an uncompromising hawk: General Ross.
After the Hulk incident fiasco, his career had teetered on the brink. While the media portrayed this assault as legitimate warfare, the Pentagon understood this was purely invasion and plunder.
Other generals declined the assignment, but Ross saw opportunity and volunteered eagerly.
Within Wakanda's royal palace, King T'Chaka convened with his elders, Queen Ramonda, Crown Prince T'Challa, and Princess Shuri to formulate their response.
The American military's relentless advance finally drove home Wakanda's perilous situation.
The aged king slammed his fist on the table. "America is a bullying hegemonic nation! They claim soldiers are missing merely to pillage our technology and vibranium! Look at their media coverage—they've abandoned all pretense!"
The lip-plated elder beside him sighed. "They've encircled us. We must devise a strategy to address this catastrophe!"
Another female elder added, "Their general demands our unconditional surrender by midnight tonight. They want military occupation, mining corporations, and research facilities. Meeting these demands would strip Wakanda bare within years!"
"We would never surrender! These arrogant Americans have no concept of our true power! Mobilize our greatest tribal warriors! Mount our vibranium-armored rhinos, wield vibranium spears, don vibranium cloaks—show them what we're capable of!"
Prince T'Challa shook his head firmly. "Direct confrontation with American forces isn't wise. Every Wakandan life is precious, and our numbers are few. We should negotiate.
"We could share our technology selectively and permit limited vibranium trade. Perhaps the world's criticism contains some truth—we cannot remain passive spectators to global suffering. Vibranium is a divine gift; we should use it to benefit mankind!"
"Blasphemy! Vibranium is Bast's blessing. It belongs exclusively to Wakandans!"
"T'Challa! Know your place! You are Wakanda's heir, not an outsider! Consider your people and nation first!"
The elders immediately rebuked T'Challa's words. Even King T'Chaka glared disapprovingly.
"Brother, I disagree!" Princess Shuri protested. "I developed our advanced technology to protect Wakanda, not to benefit outsiders!"
She addressed her father: "Your Majesty, we should demonstrate our full might to teach these foreign primitives a lesson they'll never forget!"
After careful deliberation, the king declared, "Order our forces to full readiness. Every warrior and soldier must prepare for battle. We'll meet the United States head-on!"
"Father!" T'Challa objected.
T'Chaka shook his head. "We can negotiate, but only as equals! The Americans won't engage in good faith until they've witnessed our power!"
T'Challa hesitated, then nodded slowly. "I understand, my king!"
T'Chaka surveyed the council chamber and raised his voice: "Wakanda forever!"
Aboard the USS George H.W. Bush command center in the Atlantic, General Ross spoke with President Freeman.
"General, what's your battle strategy?" Freeman inquired.
Ross paused momentarily. "Mr. President, ground forces have Wakanda surrounded. We don't need elaborate tactics—just clear authorization."
"Authorization?"
"How far will you permit me to devastate Wakanda, Mr. President?"
Freeman fell silent.
He found the general's eagerness disturbing. "What tier of destruction are you contemplating? I must remind you, intelligence suggests they possess highly advanced aircraft and weaponry!"
"Precisely, Mr. President. This war's outcome remains uncertain. Hence my question."
Freeman frowned. "I won't dictate destruction tiers! I want you to capture that location while minimizing American casualties!"
Ross smiled. "Then I understand, Mr. President."
"What do you understand?"
"Three Ohio-class strategic nuclear submarines patrol beneath us. To minimize soldier casualties, please ensure one is prepared to launch, Mr. President!"
Freeman's blood ran cold as nightmarish memories surfaced.
This bastard was asking him to prepare for... a second strike?
After disconnecting, Ross immediately issued battle commands.
Unless Wakanda surrendered, combat would commence at 8 PM—one hour away.
Thousands of artillery pieces would bombard simultaneously. Hundreds of Atlantic warships would unleash thousands of missiles. The initial wave included hundreds of fighter-bombers.
He was determined to crush Wakanda swiftly!
Evening winds stirred across Africa as most creatures entered dormancy. Only nocturnal predators remained alert, concealed in tall grass, their gleaming eyes tracking potential target.
"Whistle—whistle—"
A piercing shriek split the darkness.
Cylindrical objects spun rapidly, radiating intense heat as they hurtled forward!
"BOOM!"
They struck something invisible—a blue flash preceded thunderous detonations.
This marked not an ending, but a beginning.
"WHISTLE!"
Dense artillery shells fell like lethal rain. Violent explosions startled every creature within range. Predator and target alike panicked—some hooved animals whinnied and galloped away, while others roared and retreated into their lairs.
In ancient Africa, another brutal war had erupted.
Wakanda's war room.
Shuri clenched her teeth. "These treacherous bastards! They promised midnight deadline, yet they attack at 7:58! Completely dishonorable!"
T'Chaka stood stoically nearby. "What's the status of our aircraft?"
"More than half ready!"
T'Chaka checked the energy shield's integrity. Within seconds, it had absorbed tens of thousands of impacts.
Seventy-three percent capacity!
Emergency alerts blared through the command center.
Shuri glanced at her displays, gasping. "Your Majesty, thousands more missiles inbound with hundreds of fighters following!"
"Can our shield withstand the assault?"
Shuri's fingers flew across her keyboard. "Calculations show post-missile shield integrity will drop to five percent!"
"Prime the laser cannons. Once the barrier fails, eliminate all aircraft!"
After several adjustments, Shuri warned frantically, "Your Majesty, without protective shielding, we can't stop all incoming artillery! Wakanda faces destruction! There are too many!"
T'Challa stepped forward, striking his chest. "Your Majesty, permit me to pilot fighters and destroy their artillery and armor!"
T'Chaka regarded his son, then shook his head gently. "I'll fly myself."
"What?"
Both T'Challa and Shuri stared in disbelief.
T'Chaka gripped his son's shoulder. "You have another duty."
T'Challa looked puzzled as Queen Ramonda approached with attendants.
"My son, I've prepared the Heart-Shaped Herb trial. You will inherit the Black Panther mantle!"
Ignoring protests, King T'Chaka donned the Black Panther armor again and boarded his fighter.
As their aircraft launched, thousands of missiles arrived!
Massive projectiles hammered the energy shield mercilessly, creating aerial fireworks displays.
From within Wakanda, the sky appeared engulfed in flames.
After the explosions subsided, the shield wavered unstably. Finally, with a brilliant blue flash, it vanished.
Wakanda lay exposed to the cosmos.
Hundreds of enemy fighters appeared on the horizon, weapons primed.
Suddenly, emerald laser beams erupted from Wakanda's surface!
Like unstoppable blades, they sliced through the sky, detonating every American and coalition aircraft mid-flight!
Ground forces and their commanders gaped in horror.
The frontline commander stumbled to communications, grabbing the phone: "General, our first air squadron... completely annihilated!"
"Understood."
The terse response.
"Click." The line went dead.
The frontline commander clenched his jaw, seizing a signaler. "Relay my orders: all units, maximum force! Fire every shell we have!"
Wakanda.
Fires blazed along the city's perimeter.
Without shields, artillery strikes couldn't be fully intercepted. Soon flames would consume the entire metropolis!
Shuri checked her radar, her expression darkening.
She activated her communicator urgently: "Your Majesty, the second wave of missiles and aircraft is targeting Wakanda!"
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