Post by lawrenceliberty on Mar 20, 2019 21:45:57 GMT
Wingman and Redbird: Moment of Truth!
September 1988
1
The Swedish super hero Wingman (Benedict Rundstrom) was an unusually optimistic man; however, he was also compassionate and sensitive enough to have empathy for the suffering of other people. He knew that his family wealth, his own academic and athletic success, and his contentment with his both his roles as art historian and costumed crime fighter gave him much for which to be thankful. He was very much at peace with himself and the world around him. He was a Christian and his faith sustained him even though he knew there were many others who lacked that rich spiritual resource much as they lacked his material good fortune or even his quirky sense of humor. Christians were in the minority in Sweden, as of course, were millionaires. All of these factors enabled the blond hero to feel great empathy for the plight of the pretty blonde woman who sat nearby in a spacious workroom of his family manor outside Stockholm.
“Of course, since I think I’m falling in love with her, everything she feels seems so much more poignant to me!” he thought.
He ran one hand through his long blond hair and adjusted his glasses. He studied the woman he loved and he noticed so many of the things that first drew him to her. She had long blonde hair. It had grown back rapidly since she cut it so short after …it happened.
She was pretty and smart and had a good sense of humor too but he only came to know this side of her in recent months. The anger had faded to a degree and she was more willing to smile and laugh once more. Oh, she’d never forget what had happened to her nearly two years ago but she now placed the attack in a perspective that made it a part of her life but not all of her life. She had learned to enjoy life once more. Benedict vowed to protect her and not let anyone hurt her again!
This vow was so fragile. He meant every word of it and he was very capable. No one could have survived the battles he had won without exceptional skills and courage. Still, how could even a super hero keep another person safe from harm if she was as determined as he was to place herself in the path of danger in her own role as super heroine?
“I can’t smother her. I can’t rob her of her sense of independence. For a while she couldn’t stand to be touched. She cried abruptly and lashed out in anger the next minute. Now, she’s almost back to being the strong, vibrant woman she was before Lindworm put his filthy hands on her!” he thought.
He glanced down at a computer screen and nodded slowly. The data checked out perfectly. His older sister Agnetha seldom made a mistake and she had built the crime fighting computer lab and all of his remarkable devices herself. It was her holographic image that popped up on his helmet sensors whenever he needed her advice. She would have pouted if he had spoken out loud of any doubts about the data her machines had compiled and analyzed. Lindworm was going to strike tonight and his most likely target would be located in Gamla Stan- the “old town” in the Stortget Square where there were so many possible targets. The Nobel Academy in the old Stock Exchange Building would be perfect. Lindworm was not crazy but his hatred for national symbols bordered on the insane. Most Swedish citizens felt a bit reserved when it came to patriotism or nationalism. They were quiet about such feelings if they possessed them at all. Lindworm took this trait to a murderous extreme. He was a smart man. He was cruel. He was well equipped and his followers seemed to worship him. Still, the very nature of the masked killer’s obsession made it somewhat easier to predict his crimes.
“He must be planning to attack the Stock Exchange Building. He will be able to eliminate it and the Nobel Academy with one blow…or so he thinks!” he said.
The blonde woman nodded and said, “He won’t get away this time. I won’t let him. He’s going to pay for everything!”
She wore a bright red mini dress with orange hosiery and red high heeled boots, red gloves, and a red cape. A pair of goggles covered her eyes and her blonde hair cascaded around her head. She moved with the grace of the tennis pro she had once been. She had regained all of her old skills even after letting them atrophy during that dark period when all she could do was sit and stare vacantly into space.
“Well, Wingman, are you ready? Your Redbird will make her first flight tonight!” she said as she smiled at him.
Benedict removed his glasses and lowered a dark blue visor over his face. The blue and red costume was impressive and he felt at ease as Wingman. He smiled reassuringly at Betty Kane and said, “I can’t wait!”
2
The duo drove through the strangely snowy night in a sleek and futuristic vehicle. The blue/black car was a wonder in itself. Agnetha Runstrom had designed it when she was a teen prodigy. The current model was her finest creation. The car moved through the heavy snow with ease as elaborate sensors on the dashboard display monitored the environment around it. An array of weapons and communications devices filled the area and Wingman casually allowed the car to drive itself as he studied the displays.
“There is movement inside the Stock Exchange Building. The car shows body heat and we’re in range to detect any sounds. I hear muffled chatter. We’re not close enough yet to make out the words! I see six people so far!” he said.
Redbird (Betty Kane) nodded. She smiled but she didn’t really feel happy or confident yet. She had lived an exciting life as both a tennis pro and a super heroine called Bat Girl. She had enjoyed the companionship of a beloved aunt Kathy Kane the first Batwoman and the friendship of heroes like Batman, Robin, and the Teen Titans of two coasts. None of that matter right now. Betty was nearly sick with anticipation. She wasn’t about to battle the Velvet Tiger, the Spinner, Clayface or team up with a giggling Bat-Mite. This time Betty Kane, in her new identity of Redbird, in her new home of Sweden, was about to face the masked horror called Lindworm! Lindworm! She had not even heard the word before 22 months ago. Had she heard the Scandinavian word for dragon or wyvern she would have possible made some joke about it accompanied by exaggerated Valley Girl mannerisms.
She certainly knew all about Lindworm now. She still remembered the night her life had almost ended. She had been in Sweden for a tennis gala in honor of some older retired legends. As Betty Kane she was well accustomed to the glitter and glamour of such events. In fact for the last few years she had spent far more time as Betty than she had as Bat Girl. Since her Aunt Kathy’s senseless murder several years ago, Betty had not had as much drive to put on either of her Bat Girl costumes.
She scowled and then set her jaw firmly as she forced herself to remember that terrible night.
Betty Kane had smiled and posed for photos, flirted with the fans, and happily sashayed into her waiting limo after the ceremony. She liked Stockholm but she preferred the sun and surf of California or the Bahamas!
She sank down into the plush car seat and closed her eyes.
“I wonder if I should call Frannie? Then again, my long lost cousin may be sleeping at this time of night. She is not the night owl I am!” she thought.
She shifted slightly and the stared out into the night sky though one of the windows in the limo.
She frowned as she spotted something out of place. Furtive figures moved through the darkened streets toward a looming building.
She thought she recognized it. It was some kind of museum that honored Swedish veterans or something like that. She couldn’t really recall the exact details.
“Those creeps are not here to look at old medals! I’d say I just stumbled on to a crime in progress as they used to say on ”C.H.I.P.S.!”
She ordered the driver to stop the car and as he departed she slipped into the shadows and changed from a sparkly red gown and heels into the gray and blue costume she wore as Bat Girl! She checked her look in a small mirror since there could be press around and then she eagerly raced toward the building..
“Good thing I keep my Bat gear in my oversized purse. Not that this skimpy little number takes up much space! It is a bit chilly but it sure shows off my abs and legs!” she thought.
She moved swiftly inside the huge building and made her way past a row of framed photographs depicted colorfully dressed men in various military uniforms.
She listened carefully and heard sounds from the next wing of the museum.
She looped a rope over a hanging display sign and swung into the next chamber to spot four men in black masks and dark clothing.
“Sorry, boys but I’m like one display you’ll be looking at though black eyes!” she quipped!
She deftly connected with a kick that knocked the first man into the second one.
She rolled forward and nimbly jumped upward to connect with his jaw. She spun around and delivered a kick that knocked the next man flat.
Bat Girl ducked as the remaining two men drew their guns and fired in her direction. She was swift enough to duck behind a statue and agile enough to climb it and drop down on them from above before they could adjust their aim.
She grinned winningly as they collapsed to the floor.
“The other Batgirl could have done this but she would never have looked this sexy doing it!” she thought. She was joking since she had formed a mutual respect for the older Babs Gordon who now called herself Batwoman!
At that moment someone crashed into her from the rear. She grunted in pain and tried to flip her attacker over one shoulder but he resisted her efforts and maintained his own balance. He struck her twice in the head and as she fell forward he rammed his knee into her ribs.
She reached for her utility belt but he was faster and he pushed her downward and she cried out as her head struck the corner of the statue she had climbed moments before.
As blood dripped into her eyes she saw her attacker. He was not dressed like his henchmen. He wore a solid black hood that covered his face except for his mouth and chin. Gold trim decorated the mask around his eyes and his costume consisted of gold and black patterns and an ornate cloak.
“Serpent? Dragon?” she thought as she tried to make sense of the pattern. She gasped as he hit her again and then as he bound her hands with a cord and pulled her face toward his own, he felt his gloved hands on her body and his lips roughly cross her own.
She struggled but she was hurt from the head injuries and she stared in horror as he continued to assault her.
Much later, she blinked and opened her eyes. She had finally passed out. A newcomer stood over her battered form and she tried to pull her torn costume together but it was ripped too severely.
“Do not be afraid. I am a friend. Lindworm is gone. He fled when I arrived. He failed to burn down the memorial. I’m Wingman!” he said softly.
She whimpered for a moment and then began to weep. She was a strong woman but this had been too much for anyone to handle with breaking down.
Wingman reached out to hold her but she shuddered and drew away. She could not stand to be touched!
“You wear the emblem of America’s Batman! He is amazing! I have studied his career. He is my hero! I know I am not him but I strive to be like him for my country. I won’t hurt you. I’ll keep you safe!” he said.
He had been true to his word. After helping her to the hospital and using his pull with the authorities to protect her secret identity,
Wingman continued to visit Betty in the hospital. He just sat with her as Benedict Runstrom and he patiently ignored the way she merely stared into space for the first few days after her attack.
He proved to be charming and caring and she learned to accept his friendship and eventually his hospitality. She didn’t want to go back to America or resume her tennis career. She didn’t want to see Nightwing or even Cousin Francis. She felt they wouldn’t understand how she felt.
“How do you feel?” the kindly redheaded therapist had asked her when she had started sessions at the hospital.
“I feel…I feel like I did something wrong. I feel like I should have been stronger. I should have never been beaten like that. I should have kept up my training. I should have… I should have worn a different costume. Maybe, I was to blame because of how I acted or dressed. I wasn’t serious. I used that stupid Valley Girl act and I loved the attention I received. Maybe, I had this coming!”
She buried her head in her hands and sobbed as the therapist listened.
“You don’t really believe that do you?” she asked finally when the tears stopped.
“No. I have read about women who said that kind of thing after….! I didn’t get it then. I guess I do now. I’ve been so stupid. I guess I have been wrong but I didn’t ask for what happened. I didn’t mean it. I’m angry at myself but I also want revenge!” she said.
She reacted in her own way. For a long time she couldn’t stop showering over and over each day as if she was still tainted in some way by Lindworm’s touch. She had her long blonde hair cut short as well as if doing so would remove the feel of his gloved hands within those cascading locks on that night. She had nightmares and she imagined his raspy voice, his brutal touch, and his mask. She remembered the mask most of all.
Wingman didn’t push her to respond to his kindness in any way. He was merely there for her. In time they became friends and she grew to trust him. She found herself fascinated by this gentle, kind man and his own war on crime. She left the hospital and moved into his family manor. She was won over by his odd sister Agnetha and even came to like the staff that waited on the wealthy siblings.
Agnetha Rundstrom was a pretty blonde who seemingly lacked all social skills. She was indifferent to fashion or even personal hygiene. She seemed entirely devoted to machines and science. She was oddly enough a source of comfort to Betty after her own ordeal because Agnetha seemed incapable of treating her differently from the way she treated everyone else. She was at ease sitting near Betty but remaining in total silence; however, when she did speak she was blunt but not rude.
“You can help me work on some of Ben’s equipment if you like. He trusts you and you have been around super hero tech. as well!” she said calmly one day.
Betty had been surprised but she welcomed a way to feel useful and not be seen as a victim. She had hesitantly suggested ways Agnetha could improve her own looks with a big of make-up and a change of hair style. The older woman had accepted the makeover offer and had taken it without any judgment. She was not overly concerned with such matters but she’d go along with Betty’s ideas as if to reward her for her own assistance with the technology.
Of course, Benedict was the one who did the most to make her feel safe and welcome in the manor house.
He told her about his own origin. As you can see, my sister is a genius. She spent most of her teen years in her own workshop making wonderful things. She and I shared our father’s passion for justice. He was a lawyer and then a judge. He was killed by a criminal who vowed to get even with him for a prison sentence. He always wanted us to seek justice and carry on his work in our own ways. We found a way that works for both of us. I hope he would be proud. I couldn’t become a lawyer. I don’t have the temperament for it. Agnetha wouldn’t even think of leaving her machines! It seemed right for us to combine her technology and my own athletic skills to become a hero for Sweden like your Batman or Green Arrow! I had the resources to finance such a career and I truly care for helping people in need. I think we all do deep down. Some people just never take the time to act on those desires.”
Finally, after roughly 22 months, Wingman and Agnetha had tracked down Lindworm. He was an old foe of Wingman’s and he was not a petty thief or even the kind of man known for crimes against women. He was devoted to destroying symbols of Swedish nationalism. No one knew why. He had been defeated but never captured.
“There is chatter in the underworld. Lindworm is back in the city. We will be waiting for him!” vowed Wingman.
Betty had agreed readily. Live or die she would face her tormentor one last time.
Wingman had offered to make her a new Bat Girl costume but she shook her head. She said, “I can’t be Bat Girl again. I’m still trying to fake being Betty Kane!”
She added, “I can’t wear that costume and not remember….!”
Wingman said, “Well, if you’d be willing to let me help you… be your partner…. We could come up with a new costume and new name. I’m Wingman so you could be Wing Girl!”
She broke out in laughter and snorted suddenly. “No way am I calling myself Wing Girl. Still, something avian in nature might work!”
3
Now, Redbird concentrated on the present. She felt like she had an advantage in the fight to come. She did fear the man known only as Lindworm but she also had not spent all of her time after the night at the museum suffering helplessly.
Betty Kane had money and she had connections. She used both to find a scientist who was rumored to have what she needed to regain her old fighting spirit. Dr. Skrack was a fat man with tiny eyes that were sunken deep within rolls of fat. He smiled a lot but the smile lacked warmth. He was a brilliant outcast from traditional medical circles. That and a desire to experiment was what made him perfect for what Betty sought the most.
She faced him in his small clinic in Sigtuna. It was spotlessly clean and oddly welcoming. She told him what she wanted and the smiling doctor agreed readily upon receiving her money.
“Ms. Kane, I want to be very honest with you. You say you wish to be better and to feel safer. I have a formula that may make you much more than you are now. Then again, it may do nothing. It may not work on your metabolism. I have tried it before on others who paid equally well. I have had one success out of a dozen attempts. The formula was devised by an American named Mantle. I have improved upon his original and you will benefit from it should you agree and should everything else work as we hope! I make no promises! I am an honest… well… an occasionally honest man!” said Dr. Skrack.
Betty had agreed. She couldn’t face her attacker again. She couldn’t put on a costume again and stalk criminals. She couldn’t look at herself in a mirror again. She could not do any of these things she had once taken for granted. She couldn’t do them unless she knew she could do them better than ever before.
The chemicals were injected and she spent the next few days waiting to see what change they might produce. Wingman had left her alone for a few days while he tracked down an old foe of his in Denmark. She had assured him that she would be fine on her own.
She could not bring herself to tell him of her true plans.
Finally, she realized the experiment had worked! She looked the same. Now that her hair had grown out once more and her old injuries had healed and her sleep had returned, Betty Kane was a knockout once more. Still, she wanted more and the formula had worked!
She moved faster than before. She fought better than before. Somehow as promised Dr. Skrack had taken a formula that once created a villain called the Sportsman and turned it into the means by which Betty Kane’s body could duplicate any physical act she saw others perform. She could watch a clip of Batman on the news and match his skills. She could see the martial artist known as Lady Shiva and copy her every motion without thought or pause. So, Betty studied film and spent hours in the Runstrom library and she emerged to greet the returning Benedict as a new woman!
He understood what she had done. She told him everything since once she heard is voice and looked into his understanding eyes, she could not lie to him. He listened and he accepted her as he always had since they first met. They embraced and for the first time they kissed.
She soon learned that the chemical remained in her blood and showed up as such in lab tests. While most doctors would only consider it to be some kind of exotic steroid, it meant her professional tennis career was over since she would be viewed as being
guilty of illegal doping by officials.
Now, after training together and growing closer for months, the partners were about to find the villain behind the changes to Betty’s life. They were about to close in on the man called Lindworm!
Wingman sensed how Redbird was feeling. He tried to occupy her with conversation.
“We never have weather like this at this time of year! This snow is incredible! They say it is like this all the way across Scandinavia! It is a good thing we have special transportation!” he said. He adjusted a control and the car rose up and flew skyward!
“I doubt even the Batmobile can fly!” he said with a boyish grin.
Redbird smiled back. She admired Benedict very much. He was a true hero in so many ways. She owed him so much too! If they could just capture Lindworm, they could just possibly build a life together!
The flying car reached the old Stock Exchange Building on the northern side of the city square.
Wingman adjusted the controls so the car hovered silently in place in mid air. He slid open the cockpit and they stood up in the snowy night air. He extended one hand and Redbird grasped it tightly as his cybernetic controls in his cowl sent out a signal. A metallic looking bird swooped down from the sky and a harness looped over Wingman’s outstretched arms. The artificial bird carried him skyward as he in turn carried Redbird. They entered the building as another electronic signal opened the nearest window. Wingman’s suit could seemingly override almost any security system.
“It didn’t do anything. Of course, we know they are already in the building so I assume they already destroyed the security alarms. Still, nice to confirm we have thorough thugs at work, eh?” he joked.
Redbird said, “As much as I like being in your arms, I think you can put me down now! I’m a big girl and I’m ready for anything!”
Wingman complied and they moved down the old stone stairs to the modern offices below.
The sensors in his mask and her goggles illuminated the room and they spotted six men in black costumes!
As the robotic bird folded up into itself until its next summons, Wingman charged forward and raised one gauntlet. A projectile shaped like a bird’s gleaming talon erupted into the room and released a blinding flare that stunned the crooks as the heroes reached them.
Redbird nodded once more and then recalling a move she once saw Nightwing perform, she flipped into the air and completed three rolls to emerge from them and land with perfect balance in the middle of the thugs. She connected with a high kick copied from Black Canary and then knocked another man flat with a punch like one the hero called the Creeper once landed on a goon in a TV film she had studied.
She ducked before the goons could touch her and elbowed one in the face even as she rolled aside and let his friend crash into him as she dodged like the agile Katana!
Wingman grinned broadly as he watched her work! She was as good as ever!
He caught a thug by the arm and flipped him into a wall. He spun around and knocked another one backward and then sliced his arm to force him to drop a gun. The retractable talon worked perfectly but then all of his sister’s gadgets seemed flawless!
Agnetha’s hologram image blinked into view. The pretty blonde’s light based duplicate warned them of approaching figures.
“More men are coming. They were wiring something like a bomb behind the main wing!” she announced.
Wingman nodded and said, “That fits LIndworm’s technique. He is no petty thief. He wants to wipe out cultural heritage not steal relics!”
They hurried forward and Wingman activated another signal in his cowl.
A growl echoed through the building as a large dog bounded into view and pounced on the new group of intruders! Wingman’s cyberhound was amazing and the robotic canine brought down the remaining goons with ease!
At that moment Redbird gasped as she saw the gold and black clad Lindworm step out of the shadows!
“Wingman, you and I have the worst habit of meeting one another. I hope you won’t mind if I end your life now. Leaving the corpse if Sweden’s national hero in a burning landmark is just so….me!” he said.
Redbird said, “No! He’s mine! Take care of the bomb!”
Wingman looked at the woman he loved and flashed a “thumbs up” gesture. He had to trust her so she could learn to trust herself again!
He ran into the darkness guided by his electronic hearing and found an explosive device wired to the central column of a row of such ornate columns that lined the old building. He bent low and began to defuse the bomb.
Redbird said, “Lindworm, you are never going to hurt anyone again!”
She charged at him and then dropped low to slide across the ground and catch him with both raised legs. She flipped him forward and rowed aside to jump up as he landed. She connected with a spinning kick and smiled! Her new abilities were working.
Lindworm rubbed his gloved hands together and circled warily. He moved forward and then pulled backward in an effort to throw her offguard.
She danced aside and thanked the Thorn for the move she now mastered with ease.
She hurled a small flechette and snagged his cape. As he turned to rip it free, she tackled him. She would fight this battle up close and in contact with the man she hated so much! Fear would not hold her back again!
She wrestled furiously with the bigger man and even as he pushed on top of her, she connected with a punch to his throat. She swung her head to the side as he tried to claw at her eyes.
She rammed her head into his face and then brought both palms against his ears at once.
He cried out and she jerked his cowl so his eyes were obscured. She rammed her knees into his body and twisted aside out from under him.
He grabbed her leg and she scooted closer and kicked him with her other leg.
She heard him grunt and she smiled grimly. She brought her legs around his skull in s scissor-like movement and slammed his head against the floor.
He roared and lunged at her and she fell backward. He was still deadly and he was fast!
She tried to roll aside but he had her and he pummeled her twice before she managed to connect with three blows in a row.
He fell still and Redbird caught her breath as she realized she had beaten him. She had triumphed over the man who once threatened everything she held dear. She saw a smiling Wingman watching from where he had stopped the bomb.
Outside a heavy snow continued to fall but as far as Redbird was concerned she only had sunny days ahead!
The End