Ult. Wonder Woman #13: Where is Diana Prince? pt.1

[jackalope]

Ultimate Wonder Woman #13
The Wonder and the Vision: Where is Diana Prince? pt.1

The darkness of the night sky wrapped in and around the ambient light cast by the neon signs and street lamps. The growling sound of engines pierced the gentle hum of Gateway City's nightlife. A gunshot echoed out, followed by another.

Two cars powered down a road, speeding then drifting, barely missing a number of cars driving within the speed limit. Five motorbikes joined them, moving with fury amongst the traffic. The leading car, a limo, turned suddenly, skidding in front of the oncoming traffic. It jolted slightly as a stopping car clipped the back of it, but the pursued car kept going, flying down the sloping street. The chasing black SUV slammed into the stopped car, sending it into a spin, and the bikes following close behind.

Through the smashed back window another shot flew out of the leading car, which deflected off the black SUV's bonnet. A leather jacketed man leaned out of the huge car's side window and fired back. The limo served, managing to dodge the bullets, and over took a vehicle, increasing its speed until it disappeared into an approaching tunnel. The gunman scowled and pointed to the bikes and gestured them to race on ahead. Moving back into the car he looked at the driver. “Fuck,” he said, smacking the gun against the dash board. Turning to the back seat he reassured the shadow covered passenger, “We'll get him boss.”

“I know,' the voice rumbled back.

From above the tunnel entrance a figure dropped. The bikes raced ahead of the Ute, flying into the passage. A thud hit the Ute as it entered the tunnel. A body crouches on the front of the car, blocking the middle of the window. The driver swerved, “Fuck!”

“Wha' the hell is...”

Barely losing balance, the figure turned in front of the window and leaned down. With the repeating lights the lined the tunnel walls lighting her from alternating sides, a tall brunette woman tapped on the window. Smiling, she reached into her blue jacket. “She's going for her gu...” The front seat passenger cocked his pistol. Diana pulled out a photograph and held it up to the driver. Her lips moved, mouthing the question 'have you seen this girl?'

“Who the fuck is this?!”

“Doesn't matter, just get rid of her.” The backseat voice commanded.

The driver grinned, making Diana grin in turn. He slammed the car left, then quickly swerved back. Diana stood, holding her arms out to stay steadied.

“You are not driving straight,” she explained with some confusion. The driver, still smiling, turned out right and pulled back in. She leaned down again. “Please, can you tell me...” The front passenger started to climb out his window, and twisted around to her. She smiled relieved. “Thank you. He is not a good driver I think.” He lifted the gun, as she continued. “Could you please tell me if you have seen this girl? You are Tigers of the West are you not?” Bang. Her arm blurred in front of her, deflecting the bullet. “No,” she shouted over the sound of the engines cascading through the tunnel, “I do not wish to fight. I would like just talk.” She held her hands out, emphasizing this point.

Bang Bang Annoyed she dropped her arms and kicked the gun out of his hand. “Stop it!”

“Bitch!” The driver scowled and droved closer to the tunnel wall. An intense sound of scraping metal, along with sparks, made Diana step back. The driver pulled out his gun and shot at her. She ducked aside, leaping aside and running along the tunnel wall. Her sneaker briefly tapped the bonnet once more as she, flipped over and landed on the nearest motorcycle, balancing carefully on the handlebars.

The motorcyclist looked up between the two long, toned legs to see Diana's face hanging upside down. She held the photo in front of him. His eyes flicked between her and the photo. She looked at the photo and laughed. Rotating it around, she asked, “Do you know her?”

Suddenly remembering the road, he dodged the oncoming car. Still she remained standing. The tunnel ended and she took a lungful of fresh air. The biker reached down for his pistol. She sighed and stood back up. Her foot pushed against his remaining hand, increasing the throttle, forcing the bike forward. He dropped the pistol in panic and regripped the handlebar, turning the bike out of traffic.

She leaped again, landing on another of the Tiger gang Bikers, one of her feet against his shoulder, the other on the bikes rear. He tried to shake her off. A hand holding a photograph of a smiling girl appeared in his peripheral vision. He skidded, turning awkwardly and crashing off the road. “Sorry.” She leapt onto the road running. She turned and smiled. A chain swung for her throat. Catching it she pulled herself onto the back of the attacker's bike. His mind ticked over as he felt something soft against the top half of his back.

Diana leaned forward and placed her hand over his. He held his breath. She twisted it and the biked powered forward, racing ahead. The bike pulled alongside the chased car. She held up the photo to the tinted windows. “Have you seen this girl?”

A volley of shots rattled out from the pursuing SUV. Her arm vibrated, deflecting bullets as the Uzi sprayed by her. Panicking, the chased car cuts across her bikes path, knocking out the front wheel. With a light step she leaps on to the back of the limo, as the bike and its driver skids off the side of the road. Another biker appeared wielding a crowbar, which he swings at her balancing legs. She stepped over it, kicking it out of the biker's hand and catching it. The Uzi opens up again. She throws the crowbar, hitting the gun out of the gang man's hand, but not before the limo's tyre was hit. The car slid into a huge spin, flying off the road and hitting a lamp post. Diana was thrown into the abandoned lot that stood empty nearby.

The three remaining bikes pulled up, surrounding the silent car. The bikers drew their pistols. The SUV rolled up. The driver and front seat passenger got out, also brandishing handguns. The back door swung open. A black boot hit the pavement, followed by another. A huge man stepped towards the crash, like the other gang members his leather jacket had roaring face of a tiger on the back, but around his shoulders sat a huge collar of orange and black fur. His bald head was scarred with tattooed stripes, his yellow irises held small back slits. He pointed to the car. “Get him.”

The nearest biker pulled open the back door, and with his gun pointed, he reached in and pulled a tall black woman from the car. Reaching in again, a tall white girl and asian girl also are pulled out. The biker dived in again and backed out as his helmet is hit repeatedly by a cane. With a slightly southern sounding accent the voice called out, “Ok, ok you have me, I'll get out.”

The other side door opened. Expensive leather shoes were followed by a cane, followed eventually by a tall thin black man in a pinstripe tuxedo, with a monocle in one eye and a white fur top hat atop his head. Through large smiling white teeth he looked over the huge striped man. “I must say I'm sorry for any inconvenience I caused you, I did not re-halise you wanted me to pull over.” The nearest biker pistol whipped his face, sending his monocle to the concrete. The top-hat man held his jaw and looked at his assaulter. “That, my friend, was a mistake on your part.”

“Shut up,” the West SideTigers' boss commanded. “Where is it?”

“Where is wha...” Four gun pistols being cocked stopped him mid sentence. He smiled reassuringly, “It is in my pocket.”

“Uh, hallo.” The female voice made everyone turn to see Diana brushing gravel off her knees. “I was the wonder if you knew...” She hesitated biting her bottom lip. “Am I interrupt?”

“No, no, on the contrary, sweet girl, you are right on time.” The man pointed his silver tipped at Diana, “Professor Jenkel knows the girl in that photograph you were holding, help me and he'll help you?”

Diana looked at the men. The Tiger boss growled. “SHOOT HER, TAKE HIM!” The three escort women screamed, as bullets ricocheted out around the Amazon. Diana leapt, kicking aside one of the bikers and throwing another into the driver. The Tiger boss ran forward, his huge brass knuckled fist slamming into air where she dodged from. She kicked his running body so the momentum carried him into the back of the limo, he fell unconscious. The last biker could be seen running into the dark night.

The man in the top hat stood up and brushed himself off. He smiled at Diana. Pointing the cane at her he said, “You're that girl from the news aren't you? The wondrous woman...” She shrugged. He nodded knowingly, “Thank you for your help, dear girl.” Suddenly a puff of white gas shot out from the end of his cane, engulfing Diana, who collapsed. “I'm sure we'll meet again. Ladies?” Another black limousine pulled up, and one by one his escorts entered it. Tipping his hat to the unconscious, Professor Jenkel followed them. The new limo pulled away, while the old quietly caught fire.

*

“You can go in now Colonel.” Maximillian Zeus's new assistant looked a lot like the last. Col. Jack Lyre nodded and entered through the huge wooden double doors. The office was vast, ending in huge floor to ceiling windows, in front of which an enormous white marble desk sat with a black granite name plate 'CEO Maximillian Zeus.' Behind this a large black leather chair, empty, with the suited figure of Maxie Zeus standing beside, facing the outside world.

“I thought you'd have a throne.” Jack made his way across the room.

Maxie turned around, his face baring a knowing smirk. “Colonel, or do you prefer Duke?”

“Whatever, Maxie,” Jack sat down and crossed his legs, “or do you prefer Zeus?”

“Mr Zeus,” Maxie corrected, his eyes flashing briefly. He stepped around and lowered himself in his chair. Pressing a button inlaid in his desk, he leaned forward, “Joan, please block any incoming calls.” He looked up at the Colonel. “So, Jack, how goes the War mongering? Ear of the President I hear?”

Lyre smiled, “Not quite, a couple of steps away, best keep a low profile. It's a new world and people are adapting. All of the top office advisors are getting brain scans now. Not that they'd find anything, but as soon as they start getting psychics trained up...” He threw his hands up. “But the real question is what are you doing down here? Bored of the fluffy white clouds? Needed a challenge? Take a random no name teacher and turn him into the CEO of one of the top 10 companies in America. You've been busy.”

Maximillian Zeus put his hands together and shifted back on his chair. “Where is he Duke?”

“Who?” said Lyre feigning ignorance.

“Your boss,” Maximillian's voice was controlled, “my son...”

“Africa,” Jack answered, scratching his nose. “Something about the way they fight there makes him nostalgic, the carnage, the brutality. Now it's all drones and air strikes. This country loves war, don't get me wrong, but it's becoming disconnected. Kids used to beat each other up, now they just shoot each other in video games.” He raised an eyebrow. “Why do you need him?”

Maximillian tapped his fingers together. “I'm gathering all of them, calling them in.”

Jack's smile faded, “You've seen something? A prophecy?”

“A vision,” Maxie stood and walked to the window. “Fucking bitch Metis hasn't shut up in my head for the last year. Warning me.”

“That bad huh? I'll pass it on.” Col. Lyre stared at Maxie's back. “Hey sorry about Ms Red.”

Zeus turned, “Who?”

“Your P.A. - got blown up on air a few days ago.”

Maxie waved his hand, “You think I give a shit about some mortal? There are millions of them, I have bigger concerns.”

Jack nodded and stood. He walked to the door and paused. “Why this mortal form Zeus?”

“When he asked god for help he didn't specify which one,” Zeus replied, “beside my name is already on the desk.”

*

Aria sat calmly. Beside her Iris nervously tapped her foot. The two detectives stared at the old lady.

“How do you know this Diana?”

“She is renting a room from me.” Aria's glance was steady, slightly off-putting to the detectives, who seemed reluctant to raise their voices.

“And how long has she been staying with you?”

“A couple of months.”

The two policemen looked at each other then back at the old lady. “Did she ever give any hints as to where she came from?”

“No.”

“How she could do what she could do?” asked the other detective.

“What save lives? Do your job?” Iris interjected.

Aria shook her head. “No.”

“Did she ever threaten you in any way? Cause you to believe that she might be dangerous to herself, you, or the public?” The question came from the corner of the room where a blond man in a black suit and sunglasses.

“And you might be?” Iris asked.

“Diana is not a threat to anyone, except those that might harm others!” Aria looked sternly at the three men. “You should be ashamed of yourselves for asking such questions, she has done nothing but try to help people, and you seem to want to hunt her down like she is a criminal.”

The two cops looked to the agent, who shrugged. “You're free to go.”

“But,” Aria said, “when will you be releasing Diana? You cannot keep holding her with no charge.”

The detectives’ eyes flicked down. Iris looked at them and at the agent. “Wait, you've lost her haven't you? You're looking for her, and she's out there.”

“I trust that if either of you come into contact with her, you probably won’t tell us...” the agent said.

“You've got that right,” Iris said standing, and helping her Grandmother up. “Who do you work for anyway? I'd love to send in a customer feedback email.”

“Me?” said Tom Tresser, smiling, “I'm with Checkmate. Look us up.”

*

“It's fine honestly,” Mike said, hugging his sister. “I'm just going to be watching T.V. for the next few weeks. Harold said he'd stop by tomorrow, so go home.” He patted her back.

She stepped back, her face concerned. “Are you sure?”

“Go,” he said, smiling. “I'll call you tomorrow.”

“Ok.” She kissed his cheek. “Get better brother.” She walked down the corridor.

Slowly he shut the door, and carefully walked back to the lounge. His stomach was bound in gauze, under his t-shirt.

“Hallo.”

The voice made him stand up straight, which in turn made him wince. He held his side. Diana held her hands out apologetically. “Sorry, sorry.” On the other side of his living area she stood, in a blue jacket and black bike shorts. Her face was full of empathetic pain. She still had the white band around her forehead with the red star at the centre. He smiled.

“It's ok, really. You just scared me.” He walked forward and sat on his couch. “What is it that I can I help you with... Diana?” It was his first time actually saying her name.

“I request your halp.”