Nairobi National Park, Kenya's capital, is the world's only wildlife reserve located within a national capital...
Situated on the southern edge of the city, it spans 120 square kilometers of beautiful woodlands and grasslands, enclosed by electric fences. Its complex terrain resembles a scaled-down map of Africa's diverse landscapes.
Magneto led the mutant forces arriving in Kenya into a spacious wooden lodge within the park; a secret Brotherhood base. Beneath it lay an expansive underground space used for stockpiling weapons and housing an intelligence center.
Even as the situation for mutants gradually improved, the Brotherhood, led by Magneto, remained deeply wary and distrustful of humans.
The group descended slowly via an elevator into the heart of the Brotherhood's territory. John and Bobby led the way, heads held high, their gazes sharp and composed. They did not fully trust their African-bound brethren who had come to expand their influence.
In the spacious hall, a holographic projection of Africa stood out prominently. Centered on Kenya, numerous red dots marked the warlords backed by mutants; those who plundered resources, seized territories, and gradually consolidated control over surrounding tribes, forming a defensive perimeter.
This demonstrated that while Magneto might lack expertise in governance and economic development, he possessed fundamental strategic acumen, especially after learning about Wakanda from Sean Cyphers, which had made him even more cautious.
Across the African continent, and even in the Americas, wherever Black populations resided, Wakanda had planted spies and sleeper agents.
This seemingly isolated homeland of the Black Panther which was hidden in the mountains was not to be underestimated. Otherwise, in the original timeline, Killmonger would not have been so audacious as to challenge the entire world, inciting large-scale wars in an attempt to establish a Black-dominated era.
Bobby stared at the holographic projection of the endless desert wasteland. It was a barren and desolate land that reinforced the world's stereotypical view of Africa.
In truth, the vast African continent was one of the birthplaces of ancient humans and civilizations. After enduring centuries of colonization, from Spanish fleets to European powers, at its peak, about 95% of its territory had been carved up by foreign powers, its resources systematically plundered.
Even today, Africa remains a dumping ground for global superpowers and a hub for resource extraction. Beneath its seemingly barren soil lie rich mineral veins of nearly every known variety...
Magneto adjusted the hologram, revealing Wakanda's geographical location, "I used Kenya's influence to gather intelligence, but the information I obtained contradicts your claims. Wakanda is just a small African nation, one of the poorest in the world. Its people live in tropical rainforests. They never engage in international trade or accept foreign aid. Like a primitive tribe, they are isolated and cling to outdated traditions."
Nestled in Africa's interior, east of the Great Rift Valley, Wakanda faced Ethiopia and Kenya from afar. To the north lay Sudan, while to the south, it bordered Lake Turkana, the 'Jade Sea', surrounded by mountains and smaller nations.
The projection clearly depicted Wakanda as a land of rugged mountains and dense rainforests. It is seemingly a backward agrarian society reliant on livestock and textile trade, ostracized from global trends, with almost no external interactions.
The only notable diplomatic activity was King T'Chaka's recent participation in a United Nations conference, where he signed the Superhero/Superhuman Registration Act.
In short, it was merely for show... during which UN staff embarrassingly struggled to locate Wakanda on a world map.
"These are all illusions meant to deceive outsiders, Your Excellency, Magneto." The smuggler, Ulysses Klaue, stepped forward.
He had previously shared this with the Brotherhood leader, though the latter remained skeptical.
Such skepticism was understandable. Who could imagine that an ostensibly impoverished backwater was, in reality, a technological marvel far surpassing the rest of the world?
"Wakanda is the 'Golden City' explorers have sought for centuries, a miracle built upon the rarest metal known to mankind." Ulysses Klaue recounted his tale to the gathered audience.
He was one of the few outsiders who had infiltrated Wakanda, stolen vibranium, and lived to tell the tale.
"Vibranium... Wakandans call it 'the gift from the gods'. It's unimaginable. For centuries, they've lived atop an enormous extraterrestrial vibranium meteor, with reserves so vast, they seem infinite." Greed flickered in Ulysses' eyes.
He knew it was an incalculable fortune.
Though the market price for vibranium was already $10 000 per gram, private transactions fetched even higher sums due to its scarcity. Whenever it surfaced, it was snapped up instantly.
Tony Stark often mused about crafting an entire suit of vibranium armor for his fortieth birthday.
"Wakanda has developed vibranium-based technology to power cities, manufacture weapons, and even sewing the precious metal into clothing as everyday items. You can't fathom it. What's impossibly rare elsewhere is piled up like mountains there. They've mined it for centuries, yet it remains inexhaustible. I'm the only outsider who knows the truth and survived." Ulysses clenched his teeth.
He had once collaborated with Prince N'Jobu, King T'Chaka's brother, to smuggle vibranium out of Wakanda. But during their escape, to evade the Black Panther, the smuggler detonated explosives at the border, causing heavy casualties, including the death of the former military leader. It became one of Wakanda's greatest shames.
For this, King T'Chaka, the Black Panther, had repeatedly sought to capture Ulysses Klaue and bring him to justice. But the cunning smuggler had no intention of letting Wakanda succeed.
Over the years, he had hidden under aliases, lying low before resuming his illicit trade... until Magneto came knocking.
This was why he was now fully committed. The shrewd smuggler knew he needed powerful protection, and the mutants, which were backed by Umbrella, were the perfect shield.
"What he says is true. As far as I know, the Wakandan royal family alone controls a fortune worth over $500 billion, which far surpasses Stark Industries' total assets..." Killmonger stepped forward, his voice cold, "Because of their vast vibranium reserves, Wakanda's rulers have feared inviting disaster. To keep their secret, they've maintained a facade of poverty, selling only minuscule amounts on the black market to create the illusion of scarcity. All while masquerading as a backward Third World nation, deliberately isolating themselves."
Hearing this, Ulysses' eyes widened in shock, "Who are you? How do you know so much about Wakanda?"
The smuggling team that had infiltrated Wakanda years ago had been completely wiped out by the Black Panther.
Had he not been lucky enough to escape, he also would have died there. Even so, his neck bore a deep scar... a Wakandan brand marking him as a thief.
"My Wakandan name is N'Jadaka. Son of Prince N'Jobu." Killmonger pulled back his lower lip, revealing a line of glowing blue, which was a distinctive Wakandan marking.
He continued, "My father was killed by the Black Panther. I seek nothing but revenge."
...
{T/N: Bonus chap @60 stones...}