Post by redsycorax on Jun 12, 2022 3:22:49 GMT
On Earth-517, history took another turn. While Aphrodite and Athena enabled the Amazons to colonise Themiscyra as they did on many other Earths, the course of history was otherwise different there. In the First World War, Germany prevailed and forced humiliating reparation terms on France and Britain. Thus, on that world, Britain was wracked by civil war as Ireland and Scotland bloodily broke away and France was taken over by fascists in the 1930s. The United States maintained an isolationist, dream like state, while Japan moved into East Asia, conquering China, French Indochina, Malaysia, Indonesia and New Guinea. While England eventually stabilised, France did not. In 1940, Operation Hastings led to the conquest and occupation of England, while in the Pacific, Japan halted its forward movement. Still, the United States did not act. By the 1950s, France and Germany had nuclear weapons and although England finally broke free of fascist domination, a postponed Second World War looked likely. And then, one day in the Atlantic, a group of "science heroes" discovered a hitherto unexplored matriarchal civilisation...
+++
ARTEMISIAN COAST, THEMISCYRA:
The Science Heroes of America looked at one another, mystified at how the large, imposing island had suddenly appeared in front of them. Atlas' brow furrowed:
"What the dickens..? Surely this cannot have been concealed from shipping routes for as long as it has."
The Dragon nodded: "At the very least, its radio transmissions would have been detected. Look at those broadcasting towers. They clearly have powered flight too."
"I wonder, is this a covert Frankzi superscience base of some sort?" Atlas mused to himself.
"Your guess is as good as mine, Jim. Howard?"
Black Satan had unholstered his blinder pistol:
"This is too suspicious. Where are all the men?"
Fantomah put up a placatory hand:
"Wait. I have sensed their language and it appears to be koine Greek. Moreover, there is mention of the classical goddesses Athena, Aphrodite, Hera and others. Jane?"
GI Jane Miller nodded: "I think you boys need to stay behind while Fantomah and I handle this. Fantomah, is it possible that these women are the mythological Amazons?"
"My thoughts exactly, Jane. With all due respect, James, William and Howard, if you blunder in there, we may risk an international incident. That's the last thing the United States needs at this perilous time, with Petain's bellicose sabre rattling over Canada and Quebecois seperatism."
Atlas glared at Fantomah: "Now see here..."
"No. You will stay here, James. This mission requires specialists and with all due deference to you gentlemen, these Amazons are matriarchal. Come, Jane..." And with that, Colonel Jane Miller and the jungle goddess took to the skies:
"Phew. For a moment there, amiga, I thought you were going to go skullface on him."
"How do you put up with them, Jane? "Science Heroes', indeed. Apart from "Black Satan'- Howard- you are the only one with any remotely applicable scientific expertise amongst them."
"With great difficulty, Fantomah. It's just as well that Colorado looks like it's going to turn down the Human Life Amendment and it'll fail to pass the necessary threshold of US states to be added to our constitution. Otherwise I would've had to go overseas or risk becoming a fugitive for 'crimes against the unborn'."
"Truly, I will never understand America. At a time when it faces the menace of a hostile, maniacal France, it chooses to turn inward and sow dissension within itself."
"Hey. It looks like we have company. Okay, let's do your language thing."
They had been joined by a statuesque, athletic woman dressed in a red, white and blue uniform: "Hola! What brings you to Themiscyra, sisters?"
"Are you the fabled Amazons of Old Scythia, as I reckon you to be by your language derivation?" Fantomah asked.
"Hera! You are one of the Lost Pantheon, of the Olympian gods and goddesses who left Earth!" The stranger exclaimed, her eyes widening.
GI Jane raised an eyebrow: "So you are. Okay, lady, can you explain your island's hidden presence here?"
"Manlings have not been permitted to set foot here for millennia. During that time, we have monitored your radio and television broadcasts. We have avoided detection through cultivation of high technology."
GI Jane's eyes widened: "I'll bet you have. Er, about those guys in our vessel a few miles away. They're with us. However, in respect of your traditions and cultural taboos, we have expressly forbidden them from setting foot on your island, let alone violating your airspace. I'm Colonel Jane Miller of the United States Army. This is Fantomah, Guardian of the Wild. Our organisation is called the Science Heroes of America."
"America. Which, I believe, is trying to usurp the bodily integrity of its women and which only gave women the franchise in 1948."
GI Jane and Fantomah looked at one another: "Aye, what you have said is correct."
"It's a subject of strong contention in our country. Congress sent a Human Life Amendment to the states, but it's fallen short of the thirty three state legislature ratifications that would have needed to ratify it before the amendment was adopted. Fortunately."
"I am Diana, Princess Royal of the Amazon Matriarchy of Themiscyra. What you have told us is indeed fortunate. While we hold nothing but contempt for the Frankish dictatorship and the greybeard that runs it, and have considerable respect for the embattled and valiant English and Germans, our Parliament of Sisters has baulked at providing assistance to a nation that would thus enslave its women."
GI Jane and Fantomah exchanged glances: "We have some fast talking and debating to do, Fantomah."
"You speak truth, my comrade."
[3.23 PM. June 12, 2022]
OFF ARTEMESIA BEACH, THEMISCYRA:
Unfortunately too, the human mind is a complex thing. Merely because this world had thus far averted a second world war did not mean that there were no 'brushfire' wars that had occupied the attention of the men in this story. And thus, Black Satan's mind was occupied with memories of his days as a doctor on "Malibu Beach" in the contested Nicaragua Canal area, where there had been an intense conflict between the United States and Japanese-backed anti-American militarist forces. Sun, surfboards, volleyball and then the everpresent medevac helicopters swooping low and the alarm klaxons as the US Army Medical Corps abandoned their escapades onshore, hurriedly scrubbed up and entered their mobile army surgical facilities on Colina De La Hamburguesa. Of drinking too much, too often. Of collapsing in tears in his bloodstained scrubs after one too many surgeries in seven hours until they had had to pull him away from the operating table because he was almost dead on his feet.
ARTEMESIA BEACH. THEMISCYRA:
Ironically enough, GI Jane's mind was focused on the same scenario, but with different conclusions reached. She remembered arguing with a triage doctor about whether or not a soldier would pull through. About a shell-wrecked helicopter autoplaning down as it leaked fuel, threatening her life and those deployed under her command. About covering fire as startled soldiers fled a shower block when there was a sudden collapse of the front line. Of a jungle row of palm trees, aflame in the night from napalm bombardment. Of escorting a repeatedly bombarded tank to an evac helipad. Of the fall of Nicaragua. Of looking over a succession of photographs of fallen women and men. And Colonel Jane Miller vowed that it would never happen again, to the people that she loved and cared for.
OFF ARTEMESIA BEACH, THEMISCYRA:
"Oh, the hell with this! Why would they be hiding this place if it wasn't aligned with the Japs or Frankzis?!" Atlas scowled.
"Yeah, but are you going to face down Fantomah on this, or are you going to leave it to us?" Dragon replied.
"Look, you guys are panicking. We don't know that is the case. There is no objective evidence to suggest they're hostiles."
"No. No, we've waited long enough!" Atlas said, through gritted teeth.
"Sorry I have to do this, buddy." As Atlas prepared to soar aloft, Black Satan pulled out his blinder pistol and lit up the sailboat. And at that point, averting his gaze, Atlas delivered a stiff upper cut- but with too much power, inadvertantly killing his comrade. As Atlas left the vessel, Dragon radioed the two remaining members of the Science Heroes, onshore on Themiscyra:
"Trouble. Jim's lost it. He's headed right for this paradise island of theirs."
ARTEMISIA BEACH, THEMISCYRA:
"Damn him!" Fantomah swore, as she hurtled upward, leaving a bemused Princess Royal.
GI Jane bit her lip: "I'm sorry, Princess Diana, but one of our men, Atlas, has gone rogue. Fantomah has gone there to intercept him. Please believe us- we mean no harm."
"Your friend and comrade Fantomah- is she truly Fantasma, the fabled daughter of Hades and Persephone?"
"Yes. She has the abilities of life and death. If you see her in arm, you'll witness a skullface moment, an inheritance from her underworld parents."
Princess Diana exclaimed: "But sister... you are saying that you are willing to kill to protect us from this madman?"
"Fantomah is. And so am I. We've had suspicions about Atlas being a double agent for quite some time. And now he's proven it. You must think we are degenerate primitives."
The Princess shook her head: "I do not. This Atlas is a threat to us. If he inherited his abilities from the source I suspect he did, he is a sworn enemy of the Amazons."
"So he's been playing us all along. I'm sorry we brought him here and endangered your people. Say, that invisible jet of yours..."
Princess Diana nodded: "I will assist the legendary Fantomah and you, Colonel Miller. I have also notified my aunt, Queen Penthesilea, that you mean no threat to our civilisation and will ally yourselves against this individual."
ABOVE THEMISCYRA:
"Jim, don't do this. Please." Dragon had soared aloft on his jetpack, aghast at the saturnine expression of sadistic glee and madness on his friend's face.
"You don't get to make the rules, Bill. And I'm sorry about Howard. I know you two were close."
"He deserved better than this. Jim, you're not thinking straight. Please, return to station."
"On the contrary, Dragon. I am. I am sorry for deceiving you, but not the women."
"What do you mean, 'the women?' Jane and Fantomah are our comrades in arms."
Atlas shook his head: "Not I, my friend. And not that traitor, Black Satan."
Dragon swallowed: "What do you mean? You feel no remorse for killing him? That what you did wasn't a tragic accident? Jim?"
Atlas suddenly became aware of another presence:
"I can sense you nearby, Fantomah, you witch. Come out of your invisibility cloak."
"Give it up now, Atlas. You will not threaten this civilisation of peace and amity. I swear it."
Dragon stammered: "Fantomah, h-he murdered Howard- Black Satan. With a killer punch. He's been a double agent all his time."
"Aye, good William, much as Jane and I suspected. And poor Howard too, obviously. That will be the last life you take."
"Who's going to stop me, sorceress? You? Your new allies in skirts and spears?"
Fantomah unleashed her skullface: "You have killed with what you thought was impunity. Look upon me, coward, and dread your fate."
But Atlas only sneered: "Even you cannot kill an immortal, godling."
And then, as the invisible plane drew level with them, Princess Diana entered the fray:
"Son of Clymene and Iapetus, stay your hand! Why do you war with us?"
"Hippolyta's daughter, you dare ask? Because your matron goddesses, Olympian Aphrodite and Athena subborned my children and condemned me to a living hell, maintaining the axis of this world! You condemned my brother, noble Menoetius, to the pits of Tartarus after the Titanomachy! It was only my blood brother Herakles who at last liberated me from that ordeal."
"Aye. It is as I thought. I fear your friend James fell to the malignant Titan that you now see before you." Princess Diana said sorrowfully.
"Do not waste your pity on him, Princess Diana. This shadow of a god possessed and obliterated James Randall's soul and has been masquerading as human all these years." Fantomah said, glaring at the laughing intruder.
"And you were fooled!"
"That's what we wanted you to believe, you pathetic fool. Now, Princess!" And with that, a shroud was dropped onto the snarling intruder. Then he felt his strength ebbing as a virulent poison began to spread before him:
"W-What is this? Why do I quail...?! No! No, it is the Shroud of Nessus that killed mighty Herakles."
"It is indeed. You see, Atlas, you were the subject of duplicity yourself. We lured you here with the intention of ending your subterfuge and punishing you for your foul psychedolophonya of the good James Randall and your hateful act against the virtuous Howard Flynn, who good William here truly loved and whose life you brutally snuffed out."
"You cannot stop me, daughter of Hades and Persephone."
"Have you forgotten who and what I am, Titan? I am the daughter of mighty Persephone and Hades, the dread deities of the underworld itself and guardian of all postmortality in this era! Such as Tartarus. Say hello to your ancient relatives, Atlas." And with that, a pure ebon hole opened in the skies as Atlas witnessed his parents, aunts and uncles within the tumult of the afterlife prison that had held the Titans of myth for millennia. And as he emitted a last despairing cry, he was picked up bodily by Fantomah in her skullface aspect and cast into the pit, which closed behind him. As she reverted to her gentler aspect, Fantomah alighted on the wing of the invisible plane:
"William, I am truly sorry for what happened to Howard."
"Yeah. Jane, Fantomah, Princess? I may need to take some time off to deal with this."
Jane nodded: "Hey, it's okay, buddy. I'm sorry that bastard did that to him. And I know what it's like to lose someone you love in combat."
Fantomah raised an eyebrow: "Jane, my comrade? Why did you not tell me of this fallen man before?"
Jane sighed: "Because it wasn't a man. Because I'm not interested in men that way."
Princess Diana took her hand: "Oh, we know of those other pleasures. Fantasma, you are solely missed on Olympus. Your counsel and wisdom are needed."
"It is a long story, Hippolyta's daughter. And Jane, we need a time to rest and recover before we rebuild the Science Heroes."
"How long have you held yourself apart from the love of women, Jane?"
"For too long, Princess."
"Call me Diana, my sister."
And although the Science Heroes of America had been riven by treachery within their own ranks and although a good man had died and another good man mourned the loss of his heart's desire, in time Princess Diana of Themiscyra would leave her ancestral home to become known as a Wonder Woman, fighting alongside her allies, Colonel Miller, Fantomah, The Dragon and others who succeeded the noble fallen Black Satan, whose virtuous and heroic life belied his diabolic nom de guerre. And thus, in the longer term, Earth-517 did not fall into the apocalyptic inferno of a thermonuclear Second World War. But that is another story. In fact, it is several others.
THE END [12.15, June 13, 2022]
+++
ARTEMISIAN COAST, THEMISCYRA:
The Science Heroes of America looked at one another, mystified at how the large, imposing island had suddenly appeared in front of them. Atlas' brow furrowed:
"What the dickens..? Surely this cannot have been concealed from shipping routes for as long as it has."
The Dragon nodded: "At the very least, its radio transmissions would have been detected. Look at those broadcasting towers. They clearly have powered flight too."
"I wonder, is this a covert Frankzi superscience base of some sort?" Atlas mused to himself.
"Your guess is as good as mine, Jim. Howard?"
Black Satan had unholstered his blinder pistol:
"This is too suspicious. Where are all the men?"
Fantomah put up a placatory hand:
"Wait. I have sensed their language and it appears to be koine Greek. Moreover, there is mention of the classical goddesses Athena, Aphrodite, Hera and others. Jane?"
GI Jane Miller nodded: "I think you boys need to stay behind while Fantomah and I handle this. Fantomah, is it possible that these women are the mythological Amazons?"
"My thoughts exactly, Jane. With all due respect, James, William and Howard, if you blunder in there, we may risk an international incident. That's the last thing the United States needs at this perilous time, with Petain's bellicose sabre rattling over Canada and Quebecois seperatism."
Atlas glared at Fantomah: "Now see here..."
"No. You will stay here, James. This mission requires specialists and with all due deference to you gentlemen, these Amazons are matriarchal. Come, Jane..." And with that, Colonel Jane Miller and the jungle goddess took to the skies:
"Phew. For a moment there, amiga, I thought you were going to go skullface on him."
"How do you put up with them, Jane? "Science Heroes', indeed. Apart from "Black Satan'- Howard- you are the only one with any remotely applicable scientific expertise amongst them."
"With great difficulty, Fantomah. It's just as well that Colorado looks like it's going to turn down the Human Life Amendment and it'll fail to pass the necessary threshold of US states to be added to our constitution. Otherwise I would've had to go overseas or risk becoming a fugitive for 'crimes against the unborn'."
"Truly, I will never understand America. At a time when it faces the menace of a hostile, maniacal France, it chooses to turn inward and sow dissension within itself."
"Hey. It looks like we have company. Okay, let's do your language thing."
They had been joined by a statuesque, athletic woman dressed in a red, white and blue uniform: "Hola! What brings you to Themiscyra, sisters?"
"Are you the fabled Amazons of Old Scythia, as I reckon you to be by your language derivation?" Fantomah asked.
"Hera! You are one of the Lost Pantheon, of the Olympian gods and goddesses who left Earth!" The stranger exclaimed, her eyes widening.
GI Jane raised an eyebrow: "So you are. Okay, lady, can you explain your island's hidden presence here?"
"Manlings have not been permitted to set foot here for millennia. During that time, we have monitored your radio and television broadcasts. We have avoided detection through cultivation of high technology."
GI Jane's eyes widened: "I'll bet you have. Er, about those guys in our vessel a few miles away. They're with us. However, in respect of your traditions and cultural taboos, we have expressly forbidden them from setting foot on your island, let alone violating your airspace. I'm Colonel Jane Miller of the United States Army. This is Fantomah, Guardian of the Wild. Our organisation is called the Science Heroes of America."
"America. Which, I believe, is trying to usurp the bodily integrity of its women and which only gave women the franchise in 1948."
GI Jane and Fantomah looked at one another: "Aye, what you have said is correct."
"It's a subject of strong contention in our country. Congress sent a Human Life Amendment to the states, but it's fallen short of the thirty three state legislature ratifications that would have needed to ratify it before the amendment was adopted. Fortunately."
"I am Diana, Princess Royal of the Amazon Matriarchy of Themiscyra. What you have told us is indeed fortunate. While we hold nothing but contempt for the Frankish dictatorship and the greybeard that runs it, and have considerable respect for the embattled and valiant English and Germans, our Parliament of Sisters has baulked at providing assistance to a nation that would thus enslave its women."
GI Jane and Fantomah exchanged glances: "We have some fast talking and debating to do, Fantomah."
"You speak truth, my comrade."
[3.23 PM. June 12, 2022]
OFF ARTEMESIA BEACH, THEMISCYRA:
Unfortunately too, the human mind is a complex thing. Merely because this world had thus far averted a second world war did not mean that there were no 'brushfire' wars that had occupied the attention of the men in this story. And thus, Black Satan's mind was occupied with memories of his days as a doctor on "Malibu Beach" in the contested Nicaragua Canal area, where there had been an intense conflict between the United States and Japanese-backed anti-American militarist forces. Sun, surfboards, volleyball and then the everpresent medevac helicopters swooping low and the alarm klaxons as the US Army Medical Corps abandoned their escapades onshore, hurriedly scrubbed up and entered their mobile army surgical facilities on Colina De La Hamburguesa. Of drinking too much, too often. Of collapsing in tears in his bloodstained scrubs after one too many surgeries in seven hours until they had had to pull him away from the operating table because he was almost dead on his feet.
ARTEMESIA BEACH. THEMISCYRA:
Ironically enough, GI Jane's mind was focused on the same scenario, but with different conclusions reached. She remembered arguing with a triage doctor about whether or not a soldier would pull through. About a shell-wrecked helicopter autoplaning down as it leaked fuel, threatening her life and those deployed under her command. About covering fire as startled soldiers fled a shower block when there was a sudden collapse of the front line. Of a jungle row of palm trees, aflame in the night from napalm bombardment. Of escorting a repeatedly bombarded tank to an evac helipad. Of the fall of Nicaragua. Of looking over a succession of photographs of fallen women and men. And Colonel Jane Miller vowed that it would never happen again, to the people that she loved and cared for.
OFF ARTEMESIA BEACH, THEMISCYRA:
"Oh, the hell with this! Why would they be hiding this place if it wasn't aligned with the Japs or Frankzis?!" Atlas scowled.
"Yeah, but are you going to face down Fantomah on this, or are you going to leave it to us?" Dragon replied.
"Look, you guys are panicking. We don't know that is the case. There is no objective evidence to suggest they're hostiles."
"No. No, we've waited long enough!" Atlas said, through gritted teeth.
"Sorry I have to do this, buddy." As Atlas prepared to soar aloft, Black Satan pulled out his blinder pistol and lit up the sailboat. And at that point, averting his gaze, Atlas delivered a stiff upper cut- but with too much power, inadvertantly killing his comrade. As Atlas left the vessel, Dragon radioed the two remaining members of the Science Heroes, onshore on Themiscyra:
"Trouble. Jim's lost it. He's headed right for this paradise island of theirs."
ARTEMISIA BEACH, THEMISCYRA:
"Damn him!" Fantomah swore, as she hurtled upward, leaving a bemused Princess Royal.
GI Jane bit her lip: "I'm sorry, Princess Diana, but one of our men, Atlas, has gone rogue. Fantomah has gone there to intercept him. Please believe us- we mean no harm."
"Your friend and comrade Fantomah- is she truly Fantasma, the fabled daughter of Hades and Persephone?"
"Yes. She has the abilities of life and death. If you see her in arm, you'll witness a skullface moment, an inheritance from her underworld parents."
Princess Diana exclaimed: "But sister... you are saying that you are willing to kill to protect us from this madman?"
"Fantomah is. And so am I. We've had suspicions about Atlas being a double agent for quite some time. And now he's proven it. You must think we are degenerate primitives."
The Princess shook her head: "I do not. This Atlas is a threat to us. If he inherited his abilities from the source I suspect he did, he is a sworn enemy of the Amazons."
"So he's been playing us all along. I'm sorry we brought him here and endangered your people. Say, that invisible jet of yours..."
Princess Diana nodded: "I will assist the legendary Fantomah and you, Colonel Miller. I have also notified my aunt, Queen Penthesilea, that you mean no threat to our civilisation and will ally yourselves against this individual."
ABOVE THEMISCYRA:
"Jim, don't do this. Please." Dragon had soared aloft on his jetpack, aghast at the saturnine expression of sadistic glee and madness on his friend's face.
"You don't get to make the rules, Bill. And I'm sorry about Howard. I know you two were close."
"He deserved better than this. Jim, you're not thinking straight. Please, return to station."
"On the contrary, Dragon. I am. I am sorry for deceiving you, but not the women."
"What do you mean, 'the women?' Jane and Fantomah are our comrades in arms."
Atlas shook his head: "Not I, my friend. And not that traitor, Black Satan."
Dragon swallowed: "What do you mean? You feel no remorse for killing him? That what you did wasn't a tragic accident? Jim?"
Atlas suddenly became aware of another presence:
"I can sense you nearby, Fantomah, you witch. Come out of your invisibility cloak."
"Give it up now, Atlas. You will not threaten this civilisation of peace and amity. I swear it."
Dragon stammered: "Fantomah, h-he murdered Howard- Black Satan. With a killer punch. He's been a double agent all his time."
"Aye, good William, much as Jane and I suspected. And poor Howard too, obviously. That will be the last life you take."
"Who's going to stop me, sorceress? You? Your new allies in skirts and spears?"
Fantomah unleashed her skullface: "You have killed with what you thought was impunity. Look upon me, coward, and dread your fate."
But Atlas only sneered: "Even you cannot kill an immortal, godling."
And then, as the invisible plane drew level with them, Princess Diana entered the fray:
"Son of Clymene and Iapetus, stay your hand! Why do you war with us?"
"Hippolyta's daughter, you dare ask? Because your matron goddesses, Olympian Aphrodite and Athena subborned my children and condemned me to a living hell, maintaining the axis of this world! You condemned my brother, noble Menoetius, to the pits of Tartarus after the Titanomachy! It was only my blood brother Herakles who at last liberated me from that ordeal."
"Aye. It is as I thought. I fear your friend James fell to the malignant Titan that you now see before you." Princess Diana said sorrowfully.
"Do not waste your pity on him, Princess Diana. This shadow of a god possessed and obliterated James Randall's soul and has been masquerading as human all these years." Fantomah said, glaring at the laughing intruder.
"And you were fooled!"
"That's what we wanted you to believe, you pathetic fool. Now, Princess!" And with that, a shroud was dropped onto the snarling intruder. Then he felt his strength ebbing as a virulent poison began to spread before him:
"W-What is this? Why do I quail...?! No! No, it is the Shroud of Nessus that killed mighty Herakles."
"It is indeed. You see, Atlas, you were the subject of duplicity yourself. We lured you here with the intention of ending your subterfuge and punishing you for your foul psychedolophonya of the good James Randall and your hateful act against the virtuous Howard Flynn, who good William here truly loved and whose life you brutally snuffed out."
"You cannot stop me, daughter of Hades and Persephone."
"Have you forgotten who and what I am, Titan? I am the daughter of mighty Persephone and Hades, the dread deities of the underworld itself and guardian of all postmortality in this era! Such as Tartarus. Say hello to your ancient relatives, Atlas." And with that, a pure ebon hole opened in the skies as Atlas witnessed his parents, aunts and uncles within the tumult of the afterlife prison that had held the Titans of myth for millennia. And as he emitted a last despairing cry, he was picked up bodily by Fantomah in her skullface aspect and cast into the pit, which closed behind him. As she reverted to her gentler aspect, Fantomah alighted on the wing of the invisible plane:
"William, I am truly sorry for what happened to Howard."
"Yeah. Jane, Fantomah, Princess? I may need to take some time off to deal with this."
Jane nodded: "Hey, it's okay, buddy. I'm sorry that bastard did that to him. And I know what it's like to lose someone you love in combat."
Fantomah raised an eyebrow: "Jane, my comrade? Why did you not tell me of this fallen man before?"
Jane sighed: "Because it wasn't a man. Because I'm not interested in men that way."
Princess Diana took her hand: "Oh, we know of those other pleasures. Fantasma, you are solely missed on Olympus. Your counsel and wisdom are needed."
"It is a long story, Hippolyta's daughter. And Jane, we need a time to rest and recover before we rebuild the Science Heroes."
"How long have you held yourself apart from the love of women, Jane?"
"For too long, Princess."
"Call me Diana, my sister."
And although the Science Heroes of America had been riven by treachery within their own ranks and although a good man had died and another good man mourned the loss of his heart's desire, in time Princess Diana of Themiscyra would leave her ancestral home to become known as a Wonder Woman, fighting alongside her allies, Colonel Miller, Fantomah, The Dragon and others who succeeded the noble fallen Black Satan, whose virtuous and heroic life belied his diabolic nom de guerre. And thus, in the longer term, Earth-517 did not fall into the apocalyptic inferno of a thermonuclear Second World War. But that is another story. In fact, it is several others.
THE END [12.15, June 13, 2022]