"We're here," Shurei announced, coming to a stop.
She pointed ahead to a towering structure. "That's the Capital Defense Center of Wakanda. The energy generator for the Sky Shield is inside."
Kagura followed her gaze and studied the structure called the "City Defense Center."
It was a tall, futuristic building with a silver-gray base and a semi-transparent blue crystalline upper half.
The lower levels, roughly three or four stories high, were wrapped in silver vibranium armor plates and bristled with surveillance and defense systems, giving the whole thing the look of a high-tech fortress.
Higher up, the building transitioned from metallic gray to shimmering blue, as if made of one massive piece of translucent crystal etched with golden patterns.
The entire structure resembled a giant glass key that sheathed in silver and pointing skyward with a surreal technological elegance.
The blue crystalline section looked fragile, like the glass curtain walls of a modern skyscraper.
But according to Shurei, the upper part was also made from vibranium—only this version was fused with an active compound that allowed shield energy to flow freely through it and into the sky.
While Kagura marveled at the design, Natasha Romanoff remained calm and focused.
"So, Princess Shurei, what's our plan? Are we storming the place head-on, or are we blowing the whole thing sky-high?" she asked casually.
"Pfft…" Shurei chuckled. "Blowing it up is out of the question."
"The Capital Defense Center is wrapped in vibranium armor precisely to prevent the Sky Shield from being taken down by simply destroying its power source."
"Aww, what a shame. Someone was probably hoping to take the easy route," Natasha teased, glancing up at the starry sky.
"Still, with that shield in place, even if the building isn't all that tough, it's not like this adorable little Hitomi could just nuke it from orbit, right?"
"Hmmph!" Kagura puffed out her cheeks. "Don't say things like that! Do I look like someone who casually uses orbital strikes out of laziness? Absolutely not!"
"Ehehe~ well, you kind of just admitted it, didn't you?" Natasha laughed, ruffling Kagura's hair.
"Anyway, I already asked the important question. Since we can't just blow it up, let's sneak in together the proper way, okay?"
"Wha—! I was already planning to sneak in properly!" Kagura protested, patting down her fluffed-up hair. "Just don't go turning the infiltration into another one of your solo warzones like last time, okay?"
"Ehh? What are you talking about?" Natasha looked away innocently. "I mean… as long as no one realizes we were ever here, it still counts as stealth, right?"
"Ahem." Shurei cleared her throat, stepping in to refocus the group. "I have no idea what you two are talking about, but I should probably explain how this place works."
With a flick of her wrist, she activated her bracelet, which projected a small holographic map. "There are no personnel stationed inside the Capital Defense Center."
"We designed it that way, no people means no chance of betrayal or human error. Everything inside, including the Sky Shield's power systems, is fully automated."
"Uh, sorry, quick question," Natasha cut in. "So, you're saying we can just walk in, shut it down, and call it a day?"
Shurei shook her head. "If only it were that easy. This is the Sky Shield we're talking about the cornerstone of Wakanda's national defense."
"Even though it's unmanned, the place is loaded with automated weapons and top-tier alarm systems. The slightest disturbance triggers a city-wide, highest-level alert."
"Wow… seriously?" Kagura muttered in awe.
"So given the current situation in Wakanda's capital, one tiny mistake means Ultron will know instantly… and we'll be surrounded?"
"Exactly," Shurei nodded. "Very well summarized, Miss Kagura."
The hologram now showed the internal layout of the Defense Center, marking the locations of every trap and automated defense.
"That said, we do have some good news."
She continued, "Because control of the Sky Shield is decentralized, Ultron can't take full control even though he's captured most of the capital."
"Without my brother's direct authorization and the clearance at the Royal Research Center, the system remains off-limits to him."
Shurei used her holographic scanner to survey the area ahead. "Just as I thought. There are no Ultron units stationed nearby. No Iron Legion, no War Machine, nothing."
She retracted the display. "In short, the Sky Shield is currently a system nobody can control. It's likely Ultron sees no point in defending a tool he can't use."
Kagura fell silent, deep in thought.
That made sense.
Without control over the Sky Shield, it was essentially a giant cage—trapping Ultron's forces within the capital's boundaries. Of course he wouldn't care to protect it.
Still… that cage was far from secure.
If Ultron amassed enough strength, he could overrun the remaining resistance zones—including the Royal Research Center and seize full control of the shield.
But something bothered Kagura.
Was Ultron really indifferent? Or was he actually hoping someone would sneak in and shut down the Sky Shield?
If Kagura were in Ultron's shoes, she'd see this building as the perfect place for a trap.
Even if the center wasn't strategically useful, it was the ideal location to lie in wait and ambush any would-be heroes.
"So, here's the plan," Shurei said. "We'll maintain stealth mode and infiltrate the Defense Center."
She sent the building's blueprints to Hitomi and Natasha's combat suit systems. "Once inside, we'll avoid the alarm systems and automated defenses, locate the energy generator, and shut it down."
She shared the generator's control access as well.
"The moment the Sky Shield goes offline, my brother and the Avengers will lead the Wakandan forces in a full-scale assault."
"Kagura, your reinforcements need to reach the battlefield as fast as possible. Together, we will take back our capital from Ultron!"
"Okay!" Kagura nodded firmly. "Let's move. And remember Shurei, Natalia Ultron is a super-intelligent AI."
"Never underestimate his cunning. Even if we're infiltrating what seems like a pointless, abandoned building… we can't let our guard down for a second."