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[b]March 30
Equatorial Africa bordering Wakanda[/b]

The humid air hung tight and low along the African plains, roasting Steph in her combat gear. She had wished she brought some lighter clothes, but then again she’d probably be fighting sooner rather than later, negating any chance she’d have to wear them. Still, it was gorgeous here. Africa was one of the few wild places left in the world, and the natural beauty was breathtaking. It boiled her blood even more that Roxxon and their mercs were probably tearing this land up for a couple more bucks.

Beside her, Zinda Blake was finishing up covering the Blackhawk jet with a specialized camouflaged covering. Once she had finished, she pressed a few buttons on a small command module she had taken from the plane. Instantly, the covering took the color and topography of the ground below, completely masking the aircraft. She turned and gave Steph a smile, “Pretty cool, huh? SHIELD’s not the only one with awesome tech.”

“Yea, you’re going to have to show me that island sometime,” Steph chuckled. Blake had explained where the Blackhawk jet had come from. After they left the military, the Blackhawks had set up on a remote island. There, they became vigilante warriors fighting for the freedom of people across the globe. Zinda was the last able bodied descendant to carry on the legacy of the team. She was doing what she could, but it was clear she wouldn’t do much on her lonesome.

“If we do this, they’ll insist I bring you by,” she laughed and checked the rifle slung over her back and the pistol on her thigh. “Besides, they’ll want to see that shield again.”

Blake had told Steph that her grandfather and the rest of the Blackhawks had run a few missions with Bucky and Steve during the war. Carter was dodgy when the pilot asked why she had the shield, and luckily Blake declined to press it further. Steph wanted to tell her, but at this point secrecy was the best course of action.

“Five miles east, right?” Nomad confirmed with Blake.

“Yea, that’s the next village in line, seemingly,” she confirmed. “Along the ridge on the horizon.”

“If Roxxon and the mercs take this village, they could hem the Wakandan reinforcements in and push them back,” Nomad nodded. “All the technological prowess of the Wakandans won’t matter with the high ground and good tactical planning. Whoever’s in charge of these mercs is good. Most would have folded going up against the Black Panther’s army.”

“Well, talking about it isn’t going to change anything,” Zinda got moving towards there target. “Let’s go knock some heads.”

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A trek through the jungle and a bit of mountain climbing brought them to the edge of the target village. Steph surveyed the area with a pair of binoculars, “They’re on high alert, that’s for sure. A few patrols of guards brandishing AKs walking around. They look nervous. Can’t see any women or children, probably staying inside to be safe. They knew they’re next. Not sure they’ll like seeing us.”

“What’s the plan then?”

“I’d like to try and move in unseen,” Nomad pointed along the treeline that wrapped around towards the edge of the small hamlet. “We can wait there for anything that may come after. It’ll give us a decent vantage point, and I should be able to intercept the missile whenever they decide to fire it.”

“You’re sure about that one?” Blackhawk raised an eyebrow. “You ever do anything like that with the shield before?”

“I hit a drone one time,” Steph shrugged. “AIM was using them to bomb refugee camps. The shield hit it, causing it to slam into another one. Same basic idea, right?”

“Hey, you’re the one who uses it.”

“After we take out the sonic weapon, we’ll make contact with the village,” Steph planned. “I have no idea what to expect from the mercs, so I’ll have to think of a general defense plan to-”

“Crap!” Zinda yelled and pointed to the sky. Her eyes were good. They were very good. Steph spotted the projectile Blackhawk pointed to, realizing immediately it was the missile she had seen in the AIM plans.

Without bothering to explain herself to Blake, she took off towards the village, running swiftly through the long, grassy plateau that ran up towards it. She could hear the village warriors shouting at her. She responded in kind in their native language, warning them of the projectile. They turned, mouths agape at the approaching threat. Nomad sprang off the ground, kicked off the roof of the first hut she landed on, spun forcefully, and launched her shield towards the missile. She landed deftly in the center of the village and watched as the vibranium disk spun speedily towards its target. She held her breath, hoping she was as good with the disk as she always thought she was.

Then the shield found the mark, and she exhaled with relief. The stronger metal tore through the missile, destroying the dangerous device before returning to her. Nomad caught the shield calmly, and stood tall as the people around her cheered. The shield gleamed brightly in the hot African sun, and she said in the people’s native tongue, “That was just the beginning. We need to prepare. War is coming to your village, and we’ll all need to pitch in to survive.”