Ultimate Wonder Woman #6: Cyber skirmishes pt.1

[jackalope]

Ultimate Wonder Woman #6
World of Wonders part 6: Cyber skirmishes pt.1

Gateway City Docks. Two days ago.

Under the electric light of a lamp hanging off an old wooden warehouse two figures waited. The sound of the water lapping against the wooden pier was quiet in the dark of night. The figures, bulked out by layers of clothing, moved on the spot, rubbing their arms and blowing on their hands.

“Where the fuck are they?” the larger of the two asked, wrapping his arms around his chest, covered in a green puffer jacket. “You bought gloves? I shoulda bought gloves. It’s really hard to find them in green you know...”

The other looked up at his companion. “You don' have to wear only green, it’s just, a thing. A mark, let people know that we're Snake-Fangs, but you don' have to go full hulk. Anyway shut up, those dragon-fucks should be here soon.”

A creak behind them made them jump and turn, both reaching for pistols in their belts. The two black men stood with pistols drawn, as three Asian men approached, pistols also drawn.

The middle Asian man turned his head slightly. “Dragon... Fucks?”

The shorter black man licked his lips. “So?” He waited a moment to see if any reply came before continuing, “You got the shit?”

The middle Asian man clicked the fingers of his free hand. The man to his left lifted a suitcase and opened it. Six pure white bricks sat side by side, wrapped in plastic. The shorter black man pulled a knife from his boot and cut open one of the bricks. Lifting a small spot of the powder to his lips he licked it. Rolling his tongue under his lips, he smiled.

“The rest?”

The Burning Dragon lieutenant smiled back, “the money?”

“Five million, on its way.” He nodded to the larger Snake-Fang man who pulled out a phone and sent a text. Footsteps approached and another kid in a green hoodie dropped a large navy duffle bag and took off. The Dragons opened the bag and looked through it, pulling out notes and holding them up against the light. The Dragon lieutenant clicked again and a man carrying a black rubbish bag approached. It's placed between them and opened. The larger Snake-Fang nodded.

“Mr Tzu will be pleased.” The Burning Dragon lieutenant put out his hand.

“Mr Fu better fucking be...” The smaller Snake-Fang made to shake it.

There was a slap on the ground and everyone jumped. Guns were up again. Another slap. They turned to it. A few feet down the dockside a figure pulled itself up onto the pier, silhouetted in the darkness.

“Wha' tha fu...” The Snake-Fang turned to the Burning Dragons, “you set us up?!”

The lieutenant's face screwed up in anger, “YOU SET US UP!?”

“No! She's not one of yours?” The Dragons shook their heads. “Well then no biggy.” All six men unloaded their clips into the figure. There was the sound of metal on metal combined with wind swishing. The figure remained standing.

The bigger Snake-Fang, Lil' Tim, sunk to the ground clutching his arm, “...not again...”

The shorter Snake-Fang, Zack Emmerson, shouted, “Oh shi...” as his eyes widened in horror. The Burning Dragons were already reloading as Zack grabbed the bag of money and ran. The Dragons pointed their guns again, but the figure had vanished. Suddenly the lieutenant was screaming, looking down a sword blade stuck up through wooden floor straight through his foot. They shot again downwards, riddling the planks with bullets. The sword disappeared back into the water.

More screaming made the lieutenant turn around on his good foot. His three men were skewered through the guts on a long blood covered spear, at the other end stood a woman in soaking leather armour, still pushing the spear. She released it and the three person kebab fell over to the side. The Burning Dragon lieutenant lifted his gun with tear filled eyes. The woman smiled, stepping forward and knocking the gun out of the way. Grabbing his hair in one hand she brought her sword down with the other, severing his head.



Cale Incorporated, Gateway City Office

Derrick Haverley turned to the large round table.

“Thank you for coming here today, and thank you Ms. Cale for providing the venue.”

He clicked a button in his hand. The image on the large flat screen television behind him changed to show a metal figure.

“This is the international terrorist, which has been attacking each of our offshore companies. Recently this Doctor Cyber's attacks have been centred closer to home.”

Veronica Cale lifted an eyebrow. “...Doctor Cyber?”

Derrick shook his head, “just a name I thought appropriate. Anyway, as a courtesy, as well as out of necessity S.T.A.R. Laboratories has called this meeting. Now a now currently classified project S.T.A.R. Labs was working on was sabotaged two weeks ago. Following logic I don't feel I'm unreasonable in making the assumption that your companies have likely been targeted.”

The men and women sat around the desk remain silent. Robert Kane leaned forward.

“Kane Industries has suffered from an attack on a secret facility.” He brought his fist from his moustache down onto the table in a slow controlled movement.

John Deleon tapped a pen on the desk, “Helliburton have too, suffered some... setbacks.”

The room turned to Anna Red who carefully placed her hands together. “There may, or may not, have been a significant break in a Zeus Corp owned building...”

Veronica Cale pursed her lips. “My companies’ assets within America remain unaffected... Only overseas aspects have so far been targeted.”

Derrick nodded. “Well a number of other smaller companies have also been attacked. As far as suspects, I've reached out through all my possible connections, Interpol, MI6, FBI, CIA, and the other... secret-er secret forces. So far nothing. The Doctor surfaces about two years ago, before that, nothing. He may not even be a man; he could be an alien, a robot, an alien robot... As we all know, our world, the world we inhabit is stranger than the general public thinks.”

“Or we let them think,” Robert Kane muttered.

“As far as motive. There are some obvious candidates. Queen Enterprises are noticeably absent today. Certain other rival companies, LexCorp, Kord Electronics, remain unaffected, and would not participate here today.”

“Or they have been effected and they are just better at hiding it than us,” John Deleon looked at the others. “Besides it is just as likely its one of us. I notice that 'Maxie' Zeus has decided not to grace us with his presence today,” his voice was slightly bitter.

Anna Red looked down her glasses at him, “Mr Maximillian Zeus had important matters to attend to today, but I am fully qualified to represent him today.”

Veronica Cale lifted her hand, “Ok, alright let’s not go turning on one anoth...” There was the sound of a muffled explosion somewhere below. The room shook and metal shutters slammed down over the large windows. The door burst open and the body-guards of the CEO's rushed in, guns drawn, huddling around their respective clients. Veronica Cale shouted, “What the hell is going on?”

A black suited man pressed his fingers to his ear piece. “We're under attack ma'am. The terrorist.”



The Gateway City Police department

As Sgt. Mike Schorr and Sgt. Harold Champion entered the homicide department there is a wave of mocking dog woof's and lion roars as the plain clothes detectives sitting at their desks take the time to mess with the visiting cops. Mike and Harold half-smiled but remain focused on making their way through to Colonel's office.

“Schorr.”

The cops stopped, as an attractive blond detective walked her way up to Mike. Her eyes widened as she asked, “Could you sign this for me?” and pulled out a piece of paper.

Mike looked at it. It’s him, black and white and naked, lying on a shop floor a week back. He seemed to still have a tail in it. He looked up at the woman, who smiled and pinched his cheek. “You're just such a cute pup.” The office erupted in laughter. Mike and Harold pushed on by.

They reached the door. Harold grabbed Mike's shoulder.
“Don't worry, this stuff fades.”

Mike looked at him, unconvinced. He knocked and opened the door. Colonel Greggs waved them in.

“Boys, sit,” he pointed at the chairs across from his desk. They sat. He rubbed his temple. “How are the streets treating you? What’s the feeling out there?”

Mike answered. “It's changing, the worlds getting...”

Greggs arched an eyebrow, “dangerous?”

“...Weirder.”

Greggs laughed, then coughed. “Yes it does seem that way. Heard about the mall incident. Horrible stuff, magic. From what I hear they're sending the footage to some experts in England, they've got experience with it there, whole government funded departments. I guess they've had it a bit longer than us really.” He waved his hand in an attempt at explanation. “Sorry about the hazing out there. It's all in good spirit, I hope you realise.” Mike nodded. “I understand that you're both looking at sitting the tests for detective?”

They both nodded. “Good, we can always use new blood. Especially with hard working boys like yourselves. Anyway, we have a case we think you might be some help with. You know of a gang-banger known as Lil' Tim? He runs with the South Snake-Fangs...”

Mike nodded. “Yea, he was shot a few weeks back. Well, it was a ricochet.”

“Well it’s happened again, unlucky bastard. And according to a Zack something, it’s the same 'warrior woman' who did it.”

“Did he die?” asked Harold.

Greggs shook his head.

“Then why is this with Homicide?” Mike asked.

“He didn't, but I've got four Asian gangsters who did. One of them beheaded.”

Mike stayed quiet for a moment. “He saw the woman? He witnessed the murder? Are you guys sure it was her...?”

Greggs flipped open a manila file he had on his desk. He picked up a photograph. Another picture from the mall security cameras. In it the warrior woman stands pulling a golden rope around the witch lady's neck. Her dark hair partly obscured her face, but he can see enough of it that he remembers seeing her there, at the time. Her long legs and the grace with which she moved.

“This woman, clearly carrying a sword, along with other weapons, is our number one target in this multiple-murder case. If you help catch her you will be well on your way to becoming detectives.” Greggs put the photo on the desk and slid it over. “This is your chance boys, don't squander it.”



44 Fathom Road, apartment 6

Iris knocked on the door. There was a scramble in the room and quickly the door opened, but only a few inches. Diana stands in the crack smiling. Iris tilted her head.

“Can I come in?”

Diana shook her head, smiling. “No.”

Iris looked at her quizzically. “O...k... Are you alright in there, you've been in there a lot lately.”

Diana nodded, still smiling. “Yes, I am good.”

Iris squinted, trying to pick up any tells in her face, but failed. “Well dinner is ready in ten.”

“Ok,” Diana said backing into her room.

“Wait,” Iris pointed at her hands, “is that blood?”

Smiling, Diana said, “No,” and shut the door.