The Amazon Princess..... "Voices of the City"
Wonder Woman #6 - June, Year One	by Des Davies

"Cassie. Cassandra Sandsmark you're doing it again!"

The girl in question snapped her head back to face her friend. "Sorry Jill I drifted off for a moment. What was the question?"

"I swear Cassie in the last week you've been zoned out more than you've been here. Are you sure all those tests were right. You're not, you know, still part Chinese?"

The shorter, blonde girl laughed at her friends comment. "No. I'm all me again. STAR Labs did enough tests to cover all of N'Sync, so they should know. Nah, its that I can't get over the fact that I saved Wonder Woman. Me!"

Jill interrupted her before she could go any further, "Yeah, and how wonderful she was too you afterwards. God Cassie, I swear I'm going to throw up if go over this again."

"Foolish child."

Cassie looked over her shoulder but there was no one there. As she turned back the puzzled look melted into a smile at the irritation she saw on her friend's face. She held her hands in the air and said, "OK, like I'll keep it zipped about how Wonder Woman thanked me for helping her…"

The playful slap on her shoulder stopped her and led to both girls collapsing together and giggling like the school girls they were.

As she caught her breath Jill managed to get out, "Shut up!", which caused both girls to start laughing again.

Finally the girls managed to sit up straight and leaned companionably against each other. Cassie face settled into a serious expression.

"Do you want to know what I keep thinking about?"

Jill recognized the tone in her friend's voice and replied, "Sure."

"I miss being able to do those things. I keep wondering what I could do if I had been able to keep the crown. I could be the new Wonder Girl. Flying around the world. Saving people. Beating the bad guys. It would be so neat."

"There's also the chance to get hurt or maybe even killed. Some of the bad guys are pretty nasty Cass. Remember what happened to Superman."

"Yeah, but he came back. Heroes don't really die. It's like, in the rules you know."

"Saving the world with style. It's all a dream though Cass. They took the crown back off you. Has your mom chilled yet?"

"She's not mentioned it for a couple of days but I think that's got more to do with everything that's going on at the museum. The Chinese weren't happy with what happened. They got all the crowns back so I don't know what their problem is. You don't want to know what she told the mayor about the letters some of the staff got. I didn't know mom knew some of those words."

"Your mom put down on the mayor? Way to go Mrs.Sandsmark. How'd you know about it? You were there?"

"Nah. Mom'd kill me if she knew I'd listened in on that conversation. I got to the museum earlier than usual and was outside the door. I heard her ripping into someone and waited until she was done."

"You are way bad girl. Has Kevin asked you to the dance yet?"

Stefan Holliday sank heavily into the plush armchair. He slid his hand into the inner pocket of his dark grey suit jacket and removed the blank envelope he had put there. He set it on the arm of the chair and reached for the cut crystal glass sitting near his left hand. He took a deep swallow of the golden liquid it contained and sighed as he felt it burn its way towards his stomach. He set the glass back down then reached once more for the envelope. Slipping a finger into the seam he ripped it open. A curse escaped his lips as the paper sliced open a thin line above his bitten fingernails.

With irritation he pulled the single sheet of paper out and as he read it a gleam appeared in his eyes which quickly translated itself into a predatory smile.

"Eric."

The slightly raised voice produced an immediate response as the heavy oak door of the study opened and Holliday's bodyguard walked in.

"Yes Mr.Holliday?"

"Eric, call everyone in."

"What should I say if they ask why boss? It's late afterall."

"Tell them I want to see them as we have work to do. Between you and I, we are taking the Chinese out."

The tall, well muscled bodyguard matched his bosses smile. "Sure thing boss. Anything else?"

The smile faded briefly as he replied, "Bring Painkiller in now. I have a job for him."

Eric nodded and then turned to complete the assignment he had been given.

Holliday watched the door close and picked up his glass. He swirled the golden liquid around watching the glints of color as he waited for the man who went by the name Painkiller to arrive. He thought back on the beginning of this strange association which was finally about to pay off.

The man with white hair had appeared in his office one day nearly three years ago. To this day no one could work out how he had managed it. The envelope of money he had dropped on Holliday's desk had earned him the time he needed to outline his plan. Holliday had been dubious about the claims at first but several early payoffs on the arrangement had eased all the worries.

He hadn't realized how much he would have to pay out over the next two years and the paybacks had been slim. He had considered pulling out but the man with the silver hair seemed to know exactly when to grease the wheels just enough to keep his interest. Holliday realized with surprise that he didn't even know the man's name.

His reminiscences were broken short as a knock on the door preceded it opening and a huge black man walked in.

"You wanted to see me Mr.Holliday?"

"Yes. Take a seat. Are you ready to complete your contract and kill Wonder Woman?"

Painkiller's smile was answer enough.

"Hey Reuben get me a Dew."

The short gang leader acknowledged his friend with a wave of his hand as he moved to the vending machine. He stopped short as a taller youth reached the machine first. The moments silence was broken as the taller boy held out his hand.

"Jerry Quinn."

Reuben looked at the hand for a moment before clasping it tentatively with his own. He looked up at Jerry and answered with his own name. He briefly wondered if Jerry was feeling as strange about this as he was. He knew that this would not have happened a week ago.

"What do you think of the place?" Jerry asked.

Reuben noticed the slight unease in the other boys tone and it made him feel better to know that he wasn't the only one feeling awkward. "Hard to believe it was only a week ago that we were cheering on the fighters in the ring. Guess it shows what a little money and a big name can get done."

Jerry noticed the irritation that laced the final words and winced as he considered the expensive leather jacket he was wearing. Even though this was neutral territory there were still very big differences between the youths. Before he could say anything Reuben continued.

"Where'd you get the beating?"

Jerry instinctively reached for his eyes which both bore the marks that come from a broken nose. "Would you believe Sean Leahy?"

Reuben right eyebrow twitched a little in surprise. "Guess you won't be sorry to see him gone then?"

"Sean and I were friends once. Something happened to him though. It was like he changed in the head. Got more violent. In the end he seemed to believe he was the boss of the city." He was silent for a moment before taking the conversation in another direction. "Did you see the stuff the STAR Labs took out of the basement level?"

"Heard about it. Some sort of black, tar-like stuff. I heard that there were no bodies found when the searched the basement."

"Yeah, I heard the same thing. Suppose they got it all?"

"Well if they didn't whatever's left is buried in cement. You suppose that was why the school got closed down in the first place?"

"I heard some stories about this place. It had a bad rep. I know no one ever came near it. Kinda funny that Wonder Woman turned it into a neutral place for everyone."

"You think it's got a chance?" Reuben asked casually.

"There's only been a few minor problems so far. I don't know about you but a lot of what she had to say a couple of nights ago made a lot of sense. Kinda reminded me about what you said that night she stepped between the two gangs. You know about defending your people."

Reuben was nodding as Jerry spoke. "A lot of us only got involved in the gang as it was something to do. Then we got involved with protecting the neighborhood. It's pretty cool having a place like this to hang out. Any of your people planning on taking up her offer to learn to fight?"

"I've heard some of the guys are thinking about it. Me, I'd rather learn the stuff your guy used to beat the crap out of Snap."

"Capoeira."

"What?"

Reuben laughed before answering, "That's the name of the martial art that Osvaldo uses. He's pretty good at it wouldn't you agree."

"I sure would. It was almost like watching someone dance or maybe do gymnastics. Perhaps he should try out for the Olympics."

While they had been talking both youths had retrieved their drinks from the vending machine. Jerry could see that Reuben was considering something but it was his turn to be surprised when he asked, "Are you serious about learning capoeira?"

Jerry was silent for a long moment before he replied with a solid, "Yes."

"Then come on over and I'll introduce you to Osvaldo and we'll see what he has to say."

To anyone unused to a press conference the room appeared to be in chaos. The only area of the room that was free of milling people was the raised dais opposite the main entrance. The noise level in the room was somewhere between a loud hum and a quiet roar as everyone was trying to make them self heard. Some sought out and conversed with colleagues while others received last minute instructions from their editors via cell phones.

It was certainly busier than for anything other than election night and there would be many people standing.

The door to the side of the dais opened and a short, athletic older man with grey hair stepped through. He was followed by several others but he was the one to take a place in front of the microphones. Abruptly the noise in the room died away and the chairs were rapidly occupied.

With exaggerated patience the man at the podium waited for the room to calm itself. He looked out over the people that made up his audience and suppressed the urge to sigh. He had thought that he had made friendships with some of the reporters present but now it seemed that everyone wanted a piece of the story that had erupted.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the press I would appreciate it if you would keep your questions until I have completed my statement. I will then answer any questions you may have."

His strong, deep voice carried throughout the room and today everyone was very aware of the Latin edge that it carried.

"As you are all aware, as you have been reporting on it for the past week, every non-Latino person employed by the city received a letter terminating their employment. Neither I, nor any member of the city council had, or currently have, any knowledge of how this occurred. We have had both our own team, and a private consulting firm, examining the computer systems in an attempt to discover how these letters were printed and mailed."

"What was the result?"

Mayor Torinaseo turned his head slightly to look at the young man that had asked the question. Without commenting he turned back to the remainder of the room and continued. A slight muffled laughter came from several of the older journalists present who noticed the young man trying to blend back into the crowd. His bright red face was not making that any easier.

"You are all well aware from previous press releases that we have already reinstated everyone who received one of these false terminations. No one. I repeat, no one, has lost their job. We will get to the bottom of this problem and when we do you will be the first to know about it. We are all aware of the racial tensions this has caused and I am asking you to not fan those flames when you write your next stories. Gateway City has many problems and we are all aware that in such a racially diverse community we need to work hard to ensure everyone is given a fair chance. No one wants to see a return to the hatred that marred the early history of our city and working together we can do that."

He paused a moment to allow his words to be registered and he knew that they had all noticed his emphasis on the word together. With a smile he added, "Now I will be happy to answer any questions you may have."

Immediately a multitude of hands reached into the air and he indicated one with a simple gesture, "Carl?"

"Mr.Mayor while our young companion may have been a little quick off the mark," he paused for the quick burst of laughter, "he did have a good question. Have the investigations revealed anything?"

After a tight lipped smile he answered, "The investigations are still continuing but so far they have revealed nothing untoward."

"So that would mean that the correct authorizations were contained. Do you know who processed the letters?" Carl followed up on his original question.

"Yes. The process is marked as being performed by Tony Beckett the head of Information Systems." He continued by raising his voice above the noise that his comment had generated. "Mr.Beckett insists that he did not carry this out and at this point I believe him."

The Mayor was about to select another question when a loud voice cut through the room.

"You've stated several times that you have no knowledge of how these terminations occurred."

The Mayor looked over at the speaker and had to suppress a groan. Jemila Rashid worked for the local office of the Global News Weekly and she had been trying to find some dirt on him for the three years he had been in office.

"Yes Ms.Rashid that is correct."

With a huge grin of triumph she brandished a video tape and asked, "Then how do you explain the meeting captured on this tape of you and the Latino members of the council planning these terminations."

Pusca Torinaseo looked in disbelief at the question and the video tape but any answer he made was drowned out by the uproar.

"Yes Principal Edwards I fully understand what you are saying. It is very unfortunate that the Princess is being forced to reschedule the appointment we had made with your school. Unfortunately she is currently with the Justice League. I'm sure you understand that those are commitments that she is unable to break."

The petite, dark-haired engagement secretary listened to the speaker as he repeated his earlier comments in another format. She resisted the urge to hold the phone away from her ear or put it on mute.

"As soon as Wonder Woman returns I will call you back and arrange a new date with you. I do fully understand how much good she can have on the youth at your school and I know that she does not like missing her opportunity to visit your school. Thank you for your patience and I'm sure that we will be out to see you very soon."

Isabel sanDaron waited for the speaker to hang up and then she cradled her own phone. She leant back in her chair and rubbed a hand over her ear. She understood that Diana had the commitments she did, but unfortunately there were others that were not so understanding. Would they rather she didn't help stop this week's maniac, she thought.

However, it had been a long two days as she had needed to call four schools to reschedule talks that Diana had planned to give. Isabel frowned as she considered how rundown Diana had seemed when she had seen her earlier in the week. Whatever had happened at the museum had obviously hurt but it hadn't stopped her rushing off to aid the League in their latest emergency.

She sighed as she sat up and looked at the organizer on the screen in front of her. Diana was going to need to make time in her schedule if she wanted to make this work. Even with the best will in the world people were going to start saying no if they continued to reschedule.

Jorge Guitierez looked up from the pile of papers he was reviewing at the muffled thump from outside the door. He frowned at the interruption and was about to call out when the door opened.

The figure that stepped through the door startled Guitierez. He was about five feet tall, slim as a reed and had black hair. His skin was the color of aged mahogany and he was dressed in a leather loincloth. He reminded Jorge of the Indians seen in National Geographic films of the Amazon.

Jorge eyed the wooden club in one of the Indian's hands and the short spear in the other. The Indian stood outlined in the doorway almost as though waiting for an invitation to enter. Jorge could see the prostrate from of his bodyguard as he slowly moved his hand towards the top drawer of his desk.

"Who are you? What do you want?"

Jorge tried again in Spanish and then once more in his own native dialect that he stumbled over due to disuse.

The figure made no move to answer. Instead he leant his spear against his side and used the now free hand to pull a flask over his neck. His eyes didn't stray from the fat man seated behind the desk as he lifted the flask to his lips and tugged the cork out. He then upended the flask and what appeared to be water flowed out onto the floor.

Jorge watched with growing anger the scene taking place in his office as his hand closed over the butt of his gun. As the Indian threw the flask to one side and took his spear back into his hand Jorge lifted the gun clear and pointed it directly at him.

"Stupid savage…" he began before his words stumbled to a halt as the water began to rise off the floor and form the shape of another Indian. This one was even shorter that the first and much older. The water rippled and an old robe appeared to cover his body.

"It is you that is the stupid savage," came the words from the water-shaped figure. There was a harshness to the words like water pounding over gravel. "You thought to use the gift that we gave you. Thought to abuse it."

"Who are you?" The words slipped out of Jorge's mouth without thinking as he crossed himself with his free hand. The hand pointing the gun at the water man was visibly shaking.

"I am the Priest of Tlaloc who you made a deal with. A deal you broke and now you're going to pay for. I am going to sacrifice you to Tlaloc."

A gun shot exploded in the small room which stopped the tirade that the priest had been unleashing. The bullet sailed harmlessly through the water-made construct only to hit the other Indian squarely in the chest.

Jorge looked at the body as it hit the plush red carpet and the thought that at least the blood wouldn't show too badly crossed his mind. He looked up from the twitching body at the face of the water man and the malevolent smile that shone back made him twitch the gun in its direction.

"Thank you," came the whisper from the water like a gurgling stream passing over pebbles.

Jorge fired again. Then once more. Each time the bullet passed through the form that the priest was wearing and embedded itself into a wall. The water shaped man then began to flow towards the body on the floor. Its shape dwindled away until the water was moving around the body in a circle. Its speed began to increase rapidly and the sound of rushing water filled the room.

Jorge Guitierez put his hands to his ears in an attempt to block out the sounds that were tearing into his head. Underneath the obvious noise of the rushing water there was another gurgling, bubbling sound that tore at the mind with images that couldn't quite be seen.

As quickly as it had begun the water slowed and flowed back into the shape of the priest. Jorge, however, stared slack jawed at the creature that it had left behind. In the place of the dead Indian stood a creature that was a hybrid of man, bird and what could only be described as dragon.

With a thrust of its legs the creature launched itself at Jorge Guitierez and was on top of him so quickly the leader of the largest Mexican crime family in Gateway City didn't even have time to scream.

Three men slipped out of the shadows and headed for the large warehouse that sat overlooking the south side of the docks. In the dim light cast by the moon through the clouds Chinese characters could be seen on the side of the building underneath which, in English, was Hung Importers. A fourth man remained in the shadows of a nearby alley and watched. His eyes roved across the scene in front of him taking in everything.

His head snapped upwards at the sound of an ear-splitting screech that rent the night. For the briefest of moments the moon slipped between two clouds and its light illuminated a creature as it flew south. His eyes narrowed slightly before dropping back to watch the building opposite. Whatever the creature was it wasn't important tonight.

The first of the men reached a small door set in the side of the warehouse and knelt to work at the lock. His colleagues stood to either side each now holding a small machine gun. The first thief stood and pulled out a gun of his own before slowly pushing the door open.

One by one the men slipped inside and then closed the door behind them.

Minutes passed and the figure in the alley watched patiently until the door opened once more and the three men slipped back out. One of the men was leaning heavily on his companion and he limped away from the building.

Suddenly another figure was standing in the alley directly in the path of the three men. As one they brought their weapons to bear and the staccato sounds filled the night. As the silence seeped back in the men felt, rather than saw, the guns disappear from their hands. Then Wonder Woman, in her red, white and blue outfit was standing in front of them. The men had no time to appreciate her lithe form as she quickly sent all three in unconsciousness. As she looked down at the three men she failed to notice the tall black man step out of another alley.

The man in the alley heard her say something about being lucky to spot the men as she had been chasing the creature. He watched as Wonder Woman put a hand up to her head to wipe the sweat from her forehead. It had been a long week after the trouble that the League had been involved in and she knew that she needed to get some help for the trouble that the young girl had identified. Her hand dropped to clutch at her chest as a stab of pain erupted.

"Hey there Wondy. How you doing?"

Diana turned to see a very tall, heavily muscled black man standing about thirty feet away. She gasped as she felt the pain grow in her chest and brushed a hand across her eyes in an attempt to clear them of sweat.

"You don't look so good. Anything I can do to help?"

The man was walking towards her now and Diana tried to straighten up but it felt like she had a steel band wrapped around her chest. Her breathing became ragged and she could feel the strength leeching out of her body. Black spots danced in front of her eyes and she failed to see the fist until it crashed into the side of her jaw flinging her backwards to the ground.

Anger flashed in her eyes and she drew on her last strength to fling herself back at her attacker. The flying tackle sent both to the ground and Diana felt the pain in her chest lessen. Rolling she attempted to get clear of the attacker but instead of attempting to get clear he launched two blows into her kidneys.

Diana swung a wild arm out and was rewarded as she caught him on the side of the head. The blow was enough to send him sprawling back to the ground and she took the opportunity to get back to her feet. She noticed the small flecks of blood on the side of her hand where she had struck him and then saw that he too was back on his feet.

She gasped as she felt her throat tighten and the air she had been desperately dragging in stopped. She saw the huge grin break out on his face and knew that he was causing it.

"Don't worry Wondy. Painkiller has just what you need."

He ran towards her and his speed surprised her enough that he was able to slam his shoulder into her. She was sent careening backwards and hit the wall of the building with enough force to shake loose mortar. The impact of her head on the bricks caused stars to explode in her head but she struggled to stay upright.

A blow to her midriff lifted her off her feet and what little air she had exploded outwards. She collapsed unmoving to the street. Reaching into his long leather coat Painkiller clasped the butt of his gun and was about to draw it out when a car careened around the corner. He looked back at the unexpected arrival to see the flashing blue light. With a curse he looked down at his target, kicked her in the head once and then sprinted for the alley. Bullets chased him but he managed to stay a step ahead before being enclosed in the shadows.

The two police officers rushed over to the figure of Wonder Woman and as one kept watch his partner knelt at her side to check on her injuries. After a moment he looked up and in a hushed voice he said, "I can't find a pulse Mike. I think Wonder Woman is dead."

OK, six issues in and Wonder Woman is dead? Well, you'd better come back and read an issue which goes by the title of "Odyssey"

With two issues coming out together there's no mail for this one. Let me know what you think of the direction things are moving in.