"Many years ago, King T'Chaka killed my father, his own brother, leaving a claw mark on his chest. From then on, I was orphaned, left to wander the streets. At fourteen, I joined a gang, and by chance, I was recruited by the CIA as an external operative. Later, I attended the University of Maryland, graduating at nineteen, then earned a graduate degree at MIT before joining the Navy SEALs. My commanding officer sent me to the battlefields of Afghanistan..."
"...There, I killed relentlessly. Taking lives became as natural to me as breathing. People began calling me 'Killmonger', which means a dealer of death. I worked for the CIA while searching for Wakanda. I slaughtered countless lives, showing no mercy even to the weak, the elderly, women, or children. I became a true killing machine. When Mr. Cyphers found me, I was training with the Ghost Unit of the Joint Special Operations Command..."
"He promised me a fair chance, to challenge the Black Panther in front of all of Wakanda and kill him! To finally take my revenge!" The young man, Killmonger, spoke with grief and fury, his voice trembling with rage.
That powerful man had offered him the generous assistance he had dreamed of for years...
With just his own strength, revenge was impossible. Even setting foot in Wakanda would be difficult.
Killmonger knew there was no such thing as a free lunch. This help wouldn't come without a price. But he had no reason or right to refuse. Even if he became someone's pawn, as long as he could avenge his father and wash away years of suffering with blood, it would be worth it.
"It seems you've prepared thoroughly. No wonder Sean said there was an important bargaining chip waiting for me." Magneto stared at the young man who claimed to be the son of Wakanda's prince, immediately understanding the situation.
The young mastermind had him expand his influence in Kenya, and now he was handing over Wakanda's lost royal heir... this was all part of a carefully laid plan.
The thought made him sigh...
Just when he had begun to feel proud of his small achievements, the other man had already moved far ahead.
Wakanda possessed mineral resources of immense strategic value... an incalculable fortune, a treasure that could change the world. Whoever fully controlled it could effortlessly become one of the wealthiest and most powerful figures on the planet.
Those advanced weapons, the endless veins of precious ore. They were enough to drive any man to madness.
Magneto sighed again, pushing the thoughts aside. In a low voice, he said, "I assume the mastermind behind all this has devised a flawless plan to ensure success? If Wakanda is truly as you describe, unless the United States is willing to launch another large-scale overseas military operation, like they did with Iraq or Syria, a single team won't be enough to control an entire nation."
Though the Brotherhood had taken hold of Kenya, the figurehead ruler was still the Kenyatta family, which had absorbed the Odinga clan and rapidly expanded.
At best, Magneto was a king without a crown, able to influence the nation's direction. If he kicked aside his puppet and declared himself ruler, the ignorant and lazy natives would rise up in rebellion, and world powers would never tolerate a mutant seizing such power.
The white-haired elder stared at the holographic map of Africa. His experience in fighting human governments was vast. He knew all too well what happened to those who became global enemies.
"We'll enter Wakanda under Mr. Klaue's guidance," Bobby said, "I'm sure he'll be thrilled to revisit old stomping grounds."
The group turned their eyes to Ulysses, who chuckled nervously. He had no power to refuse. And if the plan succeeded, he stood to gain immense rewards.
The founder of Umbrella had always upheld the principle of fair exchange, which was one reason he had agreed so readily.
"We can start in Sudan, then use the underground black markets along the border to infiltrate Wakanda. It's been a long time since I set foot on that land. I hope nothing has changed," the bearded Ulysses said.
He was a reckless adventurer at heart. If the reward was tempting enough, no risk was too great.
"However..." Ulysses hesitated, "Wakanda is extremely xenophobic. Outsiders are strictly forbidden within the kingdom, and their border defenses are tight. We can't bring in a large force. Plus, they have powerful protectors. Every king takes the mantle of the Black Panther, consuming a heart-shaped herb to gain superhuman abilities."
The smuggler glanced at the imposing Magneto, then at the disciplined mutant soldiers, before adding uneasily, "I don't mind acting as Umbrella's guide. The generous payoff and my own grudges against Wakanda's royal family are strong motivators."
"...But I'm not looking to die for nothing. A team of fewer than twenty mutants, plus Magneto's Brotherhood... less than fifty in total. Once inside Wakanda, we'd be facing border armies, the king who holds the Black Panther title, and thousands upon thousands of warriors. Maybe Magneto and his people could survive by revealing their identities, but I wouldn't be so lucky."
Even now, he didn't fully understand the group's true plan, so he couldn't help but worry.
"Are you scared, Mr. Klaue?" John smirked, clearly looking down on the hesitant smuggler.
Wanting rewards but fearing risks, such men could only be kings in small ponds, never achieving greatness.
"The old man beside you is Magneto, one of the most infamous mutants in the world, and he is backed by a team of highly trained warriors. Even if we fail, we will ensure your safety," Bobby reassured.
He paused before adding, "Besides, our goal isn't to conquer Wakanda. It's just to make the world take notice of it."
"What's the point of that?" Ulysses asked, confused.
"Of course there's a point," John cut in, grinning, "Our boss is a man who plays by the rules. This way, we will have a justifiable excuse; such as helping a persecuted royal heir seek justice. By Wakandan tradition, those of royal blood can challenge the king. This will be a trial. A long-overdue revenge."
Killmonger lowered his gaze, fists clenched. He had waited for this day for far too long...