A Meeting of the Wakandan Tribal Council

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A Meeting of the Wakandan Tribal Council
Date of Cutscene: 05 October 2021
Location: Wakanda
Synopsis: T'Challa meets with his tribal council to discuss pending matters of change to Wakanda.
Cast of Characters: T'Challa

King T'Challa, the Black Panther, presides over a special council he has called together in the throne room in Birnin Zana, consisting of the Elders from the various Wakandan tribes. In attendance are representatives of the Border Tribe, the River Tribe, the Mining Tribe, the Merchant Tribe, and the Panther Tribe (being T'Challa). As has been the case for years upon years, the Jabari Tribe remains apart, keeping to themselves, eschewing the technological benefits Vibranium has brought to the rest.

T'CHALLA: "Around the world, I see and hear more reports of violence and unrest, and there are more threats that are not even native to Earth. It is only a matter of time before these problems arrive at our doorstep. M'Kathu, you know I place my full faith and trust in you and the Border Tribe to protect our lands, but there may come a time, much sooner than we can know, where outside threats push at even our best defenses. It has already happened once before when my father was King."

BORDER: "Yes, my King. We all remember Russia, 1983. They did not find anything to rouse suspicion, but they came close. The Border Tribe understands better than anyone else the importance of our secrecy."

T'CHALLA: "The trouble is this, my friends. The world is changing around us, and Wakanda must change with it. I believe in the direction T'Chaka was building toward, but his assassination has slowed some of that progress. We have hunkered down in ways, and while I have traveled the world and seen much, I have always been thinking about how what I do reflects on my people, along with the decisions I make."

MINING: "You understand the concerns of the Mining Tribe. What you are suggesting, it /will/ change Wakanda, and I do not know if it will be for the better. We know the boons Vibranium can bring to the rest of the world in the medical and technological fields, but if others suddenly have access to weapons and armor? We will lose an advantage of ours."

MERCHANT: "Is it truly the best to remain so isolated? We are shut away from the world economy. It is an untapped market of potential. I am not sure at all of the idea of outsiders and..tourists..defiling our lands, however."

T'CHALLA: "Do you think I have not considered these things? That I do not know the value of Vibranium and how sought after it is? Every time I receive a report of any amount being smuggled out of Wakanda, I track it down and I recover it. No matter what happens, we will not relinquish control over how it is used. It simply means we will need to be more cautious than ever about protecting it. Again, one day sooner or later, the world will figure out more about what we have. One of my aims is to ensure we are the ones to determine when and how that happens. This certainly does not mean Wakanda will be overrun by noisy, messy tourists day and night."

RIVER: "What you say is noble, helping others, but the greater concern is in forgetting what comes first."

T'CHALLA: "Wakanda will /always/ come first. Its people will /always/ come first. That is part of what I swore as your King and as the Black Panther. However, while the Black Panther is the Protector of Wakanda first, the Black Panther is also a protector of the world and beyond. I am a member of the Avengers, a member of the Justice League. This next thing I am about to tell you must remain a council matter only, but when Iron Man needed our aid, I brought him here in order to give it to him. Captain America was a friend to my grandfather, to King Azzuri, and he has yet to see the wonders of Wakanda personally. The Amazon island of Themyscira is facing a similar decision as we are, as they realize their traditions and their place in the world must adapt and change. If Wakanda is to be a friend to the world, we must allow the world to see the true Wakanda and know that we are a peaceful nation. A nation that will protect its resources and its people, but a peaceful nation nonetheless with a responsibility to help when and where it can."

BORDER: "If this is the path you are determined to take Wakanda in, I truly hope you are prepared for what may come."

T'CHALLA: "The matter weighs on me daily. Now, more than ever before, I am certain this is the path we must walk going forward. It is easier for us to refuse change, not so easy to face it when it is forced upon us. I hear whispers from others that already suspect there is more to us than we have let on. I cannot allow those whispers to become shouts before we can answer them. I am preparing an address for the United Nations. You will hear it from me first, and I will seek all of your advice and feedback before I finalize it. I ask you to place your trust in me, as you have before. If any of you feel you cannot, you know well the traditions."

BORDER: "The Border Tribe will not challenge at this time."

MINING: "The Mining Tribe will not challenge at this time."

MERCHANT: "The Merchant Tribe will not challenge at this time."

RIVER: "The River Tribe will not challenge at this time."

T'CHALLA: "Thank you. This meeting of the Tribal Council shall come to an end. Please, help yourselves to food and drink. I will speak with you all again soon."

The King salutes, wrists crossed before his chest, and the Tribal Elders return the common gesture before partaking of what has been set out for them. T'Challa's hands come together in back as he turns to face the large windows overlooking Birnin Zana, the capital of Wakanda. Yes, this path will most certainly change things as the people of Wakanda know them. But it is for the right reasons, he is certain of it. The only questions lie in how much change it will bring about, and whether they will be for better or worse.