- "How do you think your ancestors got these? Do you think they paid a fair price? Or did they take it... like they took everything else?"
- ―Erik Killmonger to Director Thomas[src]
The Robbery at the Museum of Great Britain was an attempt by the combined forces of Erik Killmonger and Ulysses Klaue to steal a Wakandan warhammer from the Museum of Great Britain.
Background
In 1992, South African arms dealer Ulysses Klaue was enlisted by Prince N'Jobu of Wakanda to infiltrate the isolationist country and steal a cache of Vibranium. While Klaue's mission was successful, N'Jobu was executed by his older brother, King T'Chaka, after his role in the attack was exposed.[4] Klaue, meanwhile, was branded with the Wakandan symbol for "thief" as punishment for stealing the vibranium.[7]
Twenty-three years later, Klaue was forced to surrender the metal to the rogue artificial intelligence Ultron, who cut off the dealer's left arm in a fit of rage. Klaue then managed to escape with his life while Ultron and the Avengers engaged in an open confrontation.[7]
Using stolen Wakandan mining technology to create a weaponized prosthetic arm, Klaue proceeded to team up with former black-ops mercenary Erik Stevens before setting out to steal and sell weapons made of vibranium on the black market.[4]
Robbery
- "Whatever you try, the Wakandans will probably show up."
"That'll make my day. Kill two birds with one stone." - ―Erik Killmonger and Ulysses Klaue[src]
Learning about the existence of a warhammer being housed in the Museum of Great Britain in London, Stevens and Klaue made their way to England with their criminal associates Linda and Limbani. Upon arriving in London, Klaue and Limbani went undercover as paramedics while Linda began working at the museum as a barista.
On the day the heist was set to take place, Stevens infiltrated the museum in civilian clothing and made his way to the exhibit where the warhammer was on display. As he stared at the warhammer with interest, Director Thomas entered the exhibit with a cup of tea in her hand.
Noticing his interest in the display, Thomas immediately struck up a discussion about the historical context of two tribal masks that were also on display. When Stevens asked about the warhammer's historical context, the director stated that it was originated from Benin and was taken from the Fula tribe before sipping her tea. Stevens then corrected her, stating that, while the warhammer was stolen from the Fula by British soldiers, it originated from Wakanda.
She begins to choke, as he tells her that he has had poison put in her drink. The Medics seem to arrive on the scene, but suddenly shoot Thomas and the guards, revealing themselves to be in league with one being arms dealer Ulysses Klaue.
Meanwhile, Killmonger's girlfriend, Linda has hacked the security feed to loop footage as if nothing is happening in the African exhibit. Klaue teased a guard with the chance to escape, only to shoot him too, and uses his prosthetic arm to shatter the glass and vibrate the unimportant material off of the vibranium. With the metal acquired, Killmonger, Linda, and Klaue escaped into an ambulance and got away.[4]
Aftermath
After the robbery became public knowledge, Shuri was given information that Ulysses Klaue was going to Busan, South Korea to negotiate a deal for the Vibranium artifact with an unknown American buyer.[4]