Chapter Twelve: Liberating Veld.
Diana and Tom made their way between the buildings, but were being shot upon by the machine guns. They shielded themselves and bounced off a wall before breaking through a window and into a room full of Germans. The pair were side by side and smirked at each other before they flew forward and attacked.
Diana kicked a table over, knocking it into a man while she blocked their bullets and made her was to punch a man out With a hit of her shied or a knock form her first, Diana fought hard.
Tom went to a German and the man saw the feline coming at him, tried to shoot only to realize he was out of bullets. Not knowing what else to do the man used the rifle like a bat and swung it with all his might. He hit Tom across the left shoulder, making the gun break in half for the cat was tougher then he looked. The gunman stepped back and blinked a couple of times, looking from the broken gun to the cat, who with a grin drew his arm back.
Unable to do anything the man froze as Tom sent his fist to the man's face. Wham! Was the sound that sprang for the impact as the men was thrown out the window, where he fell through the air.
Down below Steve saw the man along with glass shards, fly down in front of his path and walked around the body, not knowing if the man were dead or alive. Joined by his friends, Steve wondered how Diana was doing. They heard the sound of guns being fired, and armor hitting items, along with the German's cries of pain.
"Let's move!" said Steve leading them deeper into the town. The small group were armed with rifles and took out as many Germans as they could. Sameer and Charlie gave Chief and Steve cover as the two sent a bomb into a building, destroying some of the Germans ammo.
Jerry on Steve's shoulder, glanced up, wondering what the pair were doing to the Germans in the building. There were lights from rifles being shot off and he assumed a battle was going on up there.
Diana flipped through the air and took out one after another, fighting with grace and strength. She burst through a door that lead into another part of the place, skidding on her knees across the wooden floor, taking out a man, along with the support beam.
Doing kicks and welding her blade with skill, she tripped and and knocked men out At one point she lost her shield, but dove and got it once more, hitting a man into the wall with it. Even when she was shot at, her red and blue armor protected her, sending sparks through the air.
Tom was more of the hand to hand combat and used his fist a great deal, punching them with his cestues covered paws, sending men sprawling left and right. Some of the men tried to take him on, throwing a few punches of their own. Tom moved in a circle with a man, and with lightning speed, dropped and swung his leg out, tripping the man over. The men hit the floor and the cat moved on.
The duo were like a fighting machine, sending men flying through the air and to the ground, knocking the bad guys out with ease. The last one stood backed up to a window and drew out a hand gun, hoping to take the woman down. Before he could pull the trigger back, Diana lunged forward and with a high kick, sent him backward through the window.
Diana with the man under her flew through the air as glass shattered around her. The man tumbled down off the roof, while Diana, followed by Tom ran along the roofs top.
Down below Steve looked up and with Jerry on his shoulder, ran along side the woman on the roof. Before then went on the men wore stopped by a group of Germans.
"We need more fire power." said Steve pressing against the wall. Charlie stood to his left and tried to look out, only to dodge a shot from the group of gunmen. Chief grabbed a bomb and gave it to Steve, who threw it at the group. It went off and a path was cleared for the men to get through.
Diana and Tom reached the main square and landed, eyeing up there next target. The pair saw their were more Germans in the square, trying to figure out what to do. Then they saw something they'd never seen before. It was a tank, but neither Tom nor she had every laid eyes upon such a thing.
The tank turned its barrel to the two, aiming at our heroes. Tom thinking he could take it down, jumped through the air with his sword raised. He was in the air when the tank shot off a bomb, knocking the cat to the ground.
Diana heard the bang and saw the cloud of smoke, watching Tom fall to in in a cloud of dust. With a frown she ran to the gray machine, slamming her shoulder into it. When it didn't break a part she walked back over to the tank out, determined to take it out. She placed her hands under it and with one lift, set in rolling through the air where it landed upside down in a heap of bent up metal. More Germans came out and tried to kill the invaders, shooting and giving it everything they had.
Tom got up and saw another tank coming up the path across from them. Hearing a thunderous sound as it shot off. A large cloud of smoke flew though the air, coming closer and closer to them. Tom cracked his neck and went for it, running out in its path. He stopped in front of it and grabbed it by the undercarriage, pulling it off the ground and swinging it around. He let it go, watching it fly out of the village, where it exploded out of sight.
Diana was busy blocking bullets when she saw a man drop dead from a gun shot. Turning she saw Steve with rifle in hand, shooting a few more times. Diana with a smile pulled her golden lasso out and started to grab men with it, using it to beat even more bad guys.
Jerry jumped from Steve's shoulder to join in on the fight, wanting to take out some Germans as well. Being smaller his only weapon was a hand gun that he used like a rifle. He walked about and shot a man here and there, being smaller he was not the focus of real fire.
Tom was in the middle of bashing someones head in when he heard a shot behind him. He peered over his shoulder and saw Jerry had shot a man who was trying to sneak up behind the cat. With a grin Tom and Jerry took out others soldiers, moving around and about one another. It was an amazing sight, seeing the pair work well together, showing they were a great team.
Sameer, Charlie and Chief shot and did their part to help the others out, moving in a rhythmic way, sweeping their guns from left to right. Steve and Diana were in the middle of the square, the Amazonian using her lasso, while Steve fought with his gun.
Steve and Diana stopped and smiled at each other when they thought it was over, seeing some of the villiagares come out of hiding. A Civilian dropped dead when a shot from above told them other wise.
The two tried to figure out where the shot come from, turning to see an old church tower. In the tower a sniper reloaded and aimed to the pair.
"Sniper! Move!" yelled Steve as the pair split. Diana pushed the civilians back, blocking the shot to protect them.
"Get in!" ordered Diana hearing the people speak in another language. Seeing they were safe Diana took cover herself, hiding behind the corner of the closest building.
"Charlie, bell tower!" said Steve seeing Charlie and the guys come over to him. The men took cover and Charlie kneed, trying to eye up the target.
Tom was the only one left in the open and saw the gun being aimed at him. He dropped his shield to grab Jerry in his paw, taking cover behind a piece of steel that fell off the tank. Tom picked it up with one paw and used it like a shield, protecting him and Jerry.
'Nice move Tom, now we're trapped.' said Jerry seeing the gun leaver bullet imprints on the metal. Tom groaned and rolled his eyes.
'I didn't see you doing anything to protect us.' quipped Tom, setting Jerry down to keep the metal plate up. With both paws on it he stayed strong hoping Diana would think of something, watching her block a few shells.
Charlie was in front of the group and held up his gun, trying to aim at the assassin. He was holding it, when his had trouble focusing.
"Come on Charlie, shoot him!" begged Steve, hoping the marksman would do what he was best at. Charlie's arms shook and his eye twitched for he was unable to hit his mark, leaning back into hiding.
"It's okay.." said Sameer trying to sooth the frantic Scottish man. Charlie nodded and gripped his gun tightly, feeling bad for being unable to do his job. Seeing this Steve looked about for another way to take out the assassins. He saw Tom holding the large metal piece up and had an idea.
"Sameer, Chief follow me!" shouted Steve to his friends, that joined him, leaving charlie behind. Steve staying low yelled out to the feline next. "Tom, give us some cover!"
With a nod Tom did a cartwheel, making the sniper fire at him. Tom with the gun hot on his tail dove and took up his shied, ducking down to protect himself. With the fire focused on Tom, Steve, Sameer and Chief ran out to the large metal piece, picking it up.
"All right, guys we're going to put this on out backs, and when I say go, lift hard." said Steve looking to his friends, who nodded. Diana stood to the side, wondering what the men were up to.
"Diana shield!" shouted Steve to Diana, who knew what they were doing. She waited for the perfect time, knowing they would need to get into position before she did anything. Steve saw Diana waiting and yelled. "Go!"
With that the men picked up the piece and tilted it, letting Diana use it to push off. She flew though the air and with a hit from her shield.. Wame! The church's top crumbled and toppled over, causing a cloud of dust to rise as the brick clattered down to the ground.
The three men threw the metal plate away and looked up to the broken church tower, trying to see if Diana was okay. Out of hiding came the villagers, chatting a way about what had happened. Steve dropped to his knees while Chief and Sameer stood side by side.
Tom let his shield down and grinned, glad that they had won. As minutes passed he was curious as to if Diana was all right, and when he saw her stand from the rubble, relief washed over him. He was so happy he scaled ran the building and scaled it in seconds, going to hug the woman, happy they had done it.
Diana embraced Tom and looked down to the people, who cheered and clapped. The clouds of dust still hung in the air, but all Diana could do was smile to the villagers.
"People of Veld, you are free from the Germans!" declared Diana with a raised sword, making everyone cheer eve louder. Tom punched a fists through the air, glad they helped someone out.
The people down below, cried and hugged each other, happy beyond words. It was very emotional to see, watching the hope light up in the peoples eyes. Charlie came out and made his way over to the men, feeling them pull him into their hug.
Diana came down as several men and women shook her hand, grateful to their savior for her group were thanked for what they did, making them feel happy to have helped. Jerry watched as gifts were given to the men in thanks, seeing children running about and hugging them. Jerry looked to the side to see the animals greeting the cat and giving him their thanks. Tom caught Jerry's gaze and smiled, which in tune made the mouse joyful.
They were so thankful that a photographer asked to take their picture, wanting to preserve this historical moment. From left to right, was Sammer, Steve, Diana, Chief and Charlie. In front Tom stood, holding Jerry in his opened palm, beaming with joy.
"Hold very very still,my friends. Please, it's so important." said the man, setting his camera. The group smiled as the camera click, preserving the time and place to stand still forever "Thank you so very much, it has been an honor for me to take your photograph."
The man took the camera and went on his merry way, waving to the group. The town was so happy that that evening they threw a calibration for the heroes who saved them. Music played loudly from the local pub as Charlie played and sang an upbeat Scottish tune. Sameer was handing out drinks, offering one to Chief, who took it with a nod of thanks.
Tom and Jerry danced to the upbeat tune, trying to out do the other in an Irish jig that Charlie taught them. People were happy, and children ran about the street. Diana clapped to the beat and turned to Steve, who seemed quiet. She wondered what was wrong, everyone else was happy. Now they were free to live their own life, but what did it mean to live a normal life.
"What do people do when they're not fighting in the war?" wondered Diana watching as people danced and drank, having a grand old time. She wore her blue cloak and pulled it close, feeling a bit cool.
"This and other things.." said Steve zipping up his coat. The pilot was overwhelmed and was still shocked they did what they did. They crossed No Man's Land and did the impossible. At this point Steve felt there was nothing Diana couldn't do if she put her mind to it.
"Like what?" asked Diana, thinking about the old life she lived. She trained ate, had fun, but was that what men like him did.
"Well, they have breakfast, they love their breakfast..And they um, they love to wake up and read the paper and go to work..They get married and make some babies, grow old together, I guess.." said Steve with a sparkle in his eyes, sugar coating it a bit. Diana shut her eyes, imagining what it would be like to do what he was saying. It was hard, for all she ever knew was life on the island.
"What is that like?" wondered Diana, thinking Steve would know. She opened her brown eyes and seemed to get lost in his pools of blue.
"I don't know.." chuckled Steve staring to her lovely face. She had asked him so many questions through out their trip, and yet it didn't bother him. Any other person might have gotten annoyed, but Steve knew she was like a child. All her life she'd been sheltered from the world. So of course she would need a lot of help understanding their strange and new ways. Steve was pulled from his thoughts when Diana spoke again.
"Steve, why did you do all this? Join the war I mean?" questioned Diana, wondering what motivated him to join her in the fight for good and also the war itself.
"My father once said, 'If you see something wrong happening with in the world, you can do either nothing or something'..And I already tried nothing.." said Steve meeting Diana's gaze, finding he could stare into her eyes forever. The pair were so close and seemed to lean in, when a tray of beer was held in front of them.
"What some drinks you two." said Sameer with a bright smile, not knowing he was interrupting something special. He hoped the pair would join in on the party, instead of just standing off to the side like they were. "Their on the house for the heroes of the town."
"No, Sammy, I can't, I have to get a German uniform, plot out the course for tomorrow," said Steve, not knowing if he should take the drink.
"Ah, but that's easy boss, there's nothing you can do till tomorrow. You said yourself Steve, so madam, S'il vous plait, ici toi sont. Magnifique."
Diana and Steve each took one, watching as the man rushed off to join in on the dancing. Steve clinked his glass with Diana's and watched the people dance.
"You did this.." said Steve with a smile, seeing the happy joyful people.
"No, we did it." corrected Diana with a glint in her brown eyes.
Tom and Jerry walked over to them, tired from their dancing. The pair smiled and Diana passed her glass to Tom, who eagerly took it, drinking the beer away like it were nothing. Jerry saw this and felt the need to make a smart remark.
'Gee, Tom, for a cat you sure can down a drink. Were you one of those party animals back in your younger years?' wondered Jerry watching Tom set the empty mug down, wiping his paw over his wet muzzle.
'You bet your small whiskers I was..You should have seen the parties I was at. I was a legend and those parties never died..' said Tom recall some wedding parties he attended to and how he drank a little too much at first.
'Yeah, because making a fool of yourself is really something to be proud of. I for one prefer to stay in control of myself and not look like an idiot.' said Jerry leaning on Steve's boot.
Steve with wide eyes stared to the feline, wondering how the heck he could drink like that.
"Are you sure you should let Tom drink that? I mean, he's a cat, does beer affect him like it does to us?" asked Steve watching Tom finish off the drink, showing no sign of being drunk.
"He'll be fine..When we had weddings back at the island he was a real party animal. Luckily over time he's mellowed out, otherwise I'd have to cut him off." said Diana with a grin, looking from the feline to Steve, who still couldn't get over the cat drinking. "There were times I'd have to carry him home, for he'd be to unsteady to walk. Weddings and Graduating were ones he'd really go crazy on. He even sang, something I didn't even know he could do."
"Wait, Tom can sing, but he can't talk? That makes no sense! But hey, after all the stuff I've seen, who knows, next it will be flying pigs." said Steve looking from Diana to the feline, who simply grinned. "Well I hope he sings better then Charlie..Man, I haven't heard him sing in years."
Charlie from in the pub sang badly and played, making the four laugh. Tom set his drink a side and went to the Scottish man, wondering about something. Jerry gazed at the pub and saw Tom giving Charlie a paper and appearing to ask him to play something. Tom got a drummer, a guitar player to join in on the number, wanting it to sound perfect. The music started and Steve saw Diana's foot tap to the beat. He wanted to ask her to dance, he just hoped she wouldn't turn him down. Oh well here goes nothing he thought, taking a deep breath.