Sign of the Times

06

BERLIN - DAY

Traffic rolled around the victory column. A police convoy drove beside the river Spree. Amidst the convoy was a gray armed truck. Inside, Bucky and Connie wore restraints inside two prison pods. Three armed guards sat on the other side of the glass-walled pods. A police motorbike stopped traffic and a van driver looked affronted. The convoy turned a corner onto a bridge across the river. In an SUV, T'Challa sat in front of Steve.

"So, you like cats?" Sam asked.

"Sam," Steve called.

"What? Dude shows up dressed like a cat and you don't wanna know more?"

"Your suit... it's Vibranium?" Steve questioned.

T'Challa's eyes narrowed as he glanced sideways and said, "The Black Panther has been the protector of Wakanda for generations. A mantle, passed from warrior to warrior. And now, because your friends murdered my father, I also wear the mantle of king. So, I ask you... as both warrior and king... how long do you think you can keep your friends safe from me?" Steve was stone-faced as the convoy headed underground.

---

In a light gray walled bunker, Bucky and Connie's pods were carried away by a forklift. Nearby, Steve got out of the SUV and glanced across at Bucky and Connie who didn't spot him. Steve, Sam and T'Challa approached Sharon who was standing with a diminutive, gray-haired man.

"What's gonna happen to them?" Steve asked.

"Same thing that ought to happen to you," Everett Ross replied. "Psychological evaluation and extradition."

"This is Everett Ross, Deputy Task Force Commander," Sharon introduced.

"What about our lawyer?" Steve asked.

"Lawyer," Everett repeated. "That's funny. See their weapons are placed in lockup. Oh, we'll write you a receipt."

"I better not look out the window and see anybody flying around in that," Sam said. As they went, Steve looked back and caught Bucky and Connie's eye.

COVERED SKY WALK

"You'll be provided with an office instead of a cell," Secretary Ross said. "Now, do me a favor, stay in it?"

"I don't intend on going anywhere," T'Challa retorted.

"For the record, this is what making things worse looks like," Natasha stated.

"He's alive," Steve shot back. "He was fine living with Connie until they were targeted."

Tony, on his phone, said, "No. Romania was not Accords-sanctioned. And, Colonel Rhodes is supervising cleanup."

"Try not to break anything while we fix this," Natasha told Steve.

"Consequences? You bet there'll be consequences. Obviously you can quote me on that 'cause I just said it. Anything else? Thank you, sir."

"'Consequences'?" Steve repeated.

"Secretary Ross wants you each prosecuted. Had to give him something."

"I'm not getting that shield back, am I?" Steve said.

"Technically, it's the government's property," Natasha replied. "Wings, too."

"That's cold," Sam stated.

"Warmer than jail," Tony shot back.

POWER STATION SURROUNDED BY TREES

The van with the driver who was affronted by the police convoy pulled up by the open gate. Scowling, he put the parking break on and picked up a clipboard.