Wonder Woman 9
"The Master Plan of Paula Von Gunther!"
Steve Trevor hurried to Colonel Darnell's office. The file in his hands felt like an oversized weight. "Sir, I have the reports."
Darnell eyed the empty shot glass on his desk. "Well, what is it?"
"Three ships sunk in the past twenty-four hours. The casualty list is still being compiled."
"Any leads?"
"Not a one; we've hit all the usual suspects but so far we've found nothing that reveals how the Axis knows our routes."
"There is one we haven't checked." Darnell pushed a file folder forward.
"Von Gunther? Sir, with all due respect, the Baroness has been kept in a federal prison since her capture. She's had no visitors or mail. I checked that lead myself."
"I'm sure Steve, but at this point we're running out of options. Take whoever you need, but I need answers!"
"Yes sir."
-WW
Steve sat before the mental radio. "I know she's busy, but if we ever needed Wonder Woman's help, now's the time." He slipped the electrodes over his head and tuned the fantastic device. Wonder Woman's face filled the screen.
"Steve, what a surprise. To what do I owe this call?"
"Business angel; can you fly out to these coordinates within twenty-four hours?" He held up a map.
"I believe so, but what is the emergency?"
"Sabotage and we think the Baroness is involved."
Wonder Woman furrowed her brow. "I see. I'll be there in twelve hours."
-WW
Wonder Woman stepped out of her invisible plane. Dressed in a yeoman's uniform, she closed the door to the secret barn where her craft was stored. "You have my credentials?"
"Yeoman Polly Prince, as requested." Steve handed her a small case. "I'm curious, why not come as Wonder Woman?"
"If the Baroness is behind the attacks, she might alter her plans if she knew I was there. Disguised, she might let her guard down." She patted the golden lasso that hung at her hip. "At least long enough for me to do use my lasso on her."
"Good idea." Steve walked her to his car. "We can make it to the prison in a few hours. There's some coffee and sandwiches in the back seat."
The Queen of the Amazons slipped into the car beside Steve. Her thoughts drifted to the fate of Paula Von Gunther. "Is she the one behind the attacks and if so, how?"
-WW
The prison was a fairly drab affair. Formerly a military base, it was transformed into a high security prison shortly after the First World War. Steve drove past the gate and the armed sentries before stopping the car. "From here we walk Yeoman."
"An impressive prison Major," Wonder Woman flashed her badge and submitted to a quick pat down by a matron as Steve was subjected to a similar treatment., "but if the Baroness is behind this, how exactly could she be getting her information out?"
"That's what we're to find out." Steve looked over the information. "According to our people here, Von Gunther has received no letters nor has she mailed any. She hasn't even tried to contact any lawyers or the German consulate."
"What of her daily activates?"
"That's the thing, none. According to the warden's report she's spent most of her time here in solitary. She picks fights with the other inmates almost as soon as she gets out of the hole."
"Why not send her to another prison?"
"There aren't any that are classified high enough to hold someone like the Baroness, and it's clear that she's been keeping her record clean enough to stay here." Gears began to turn in Steve's head. "You don't think she wants to stay in solitary, do you?"
"Maybe, but we need to ask the warden before we accuse anyone."
-WW
The meeting with the warden was quick. The man himself seemed alright, if a bit harried. "I've looked over your request Major, and while I'll agree to it I'm offended at the suggestion that I'm allowing a spy ring to operate under my nose."
"That's not what I'm implying sir, but it is imperative that we explore every possible angle."
The warden made a rumbling noise and led them out down a long hall towards an interview room. "The inmate has not been our best. In fact she seems downright committed to be unreformed. I have extra officers as a precaution."
Baroness Paula Von Gunther sat in the chair across from them. She kept her face still, but Wonder Woman saw the hate blazing in her eyes. "Major Trevor, an honor. Tell me to what do I owe this reason for being dragged from my cell?"
"We're going to ask you a few questions Baroness." Trevor opened the large case he brought inside. "My yeoman here is going to assist me with placing a few sensors on your arm and face."
Von Gunther dropped her cigarette. "What is the meaning of this?"
"It's called a polygraph, in layman's terms it can tell if a person is lying or not." Wonder Woman shot a glance at the machine. She had to admit the idea behind it was sound, if a bit crude when compared to her magic lasso. She was tempted to point out that the machine could only register a change in heartbeat whereas her lasso was forged to make people tell the entire truth. Still, she could see the appeal.
"No, this is insane! You're trying to torture me!" Von Gunther leapt from her seat. "I won't allow it!"
"You're not in any position to allow anything!" One of the officers roughly shoved her back down. Von Gunther slammed her heel into the man's instep. Like a devil she swung her chair, knocking the polygraph from Trevor's hands and breaking it.
Wonder Woman clenched her fists but said nothing. The guards dog-piled Von Gunther and dragged her away, her curses echoing off the walls. The warden, his face like slate, stepped forward as Trevor inspected the ruined machine.
"I am so dreadfully sorry about this! Rest assured, she'll do 90 days in solitary starting this very minute!" He quickly left as Trevor and Wonder Woman were escorted back to the front gate.
"Well, that was a bust." Trevor poked the ruined machine. "It'll take another three weeks before I can get another one."
"I wouldn't file that paperwork just yet Steve." Wonder Woman eyed one of the prison windows. "Don't you think that whole thing was a bit too convenient?"
"I see your point. The baroness seemed a bit too scared of the machine, but you think she wanted to get sent into solitary?"
"It's possible, but I'll need to investigate more before I act."
-WW
"Come on, move it!" Officer Swipe roughly shoved Von Gunther down the corridor towards the solitary cells. The cells were actually housed in a separate wing isolated from the entire compound.
"You don't have to shove so hard, no one is watching us." Von Gunther suddenly straightened up.
"Sorry Baroness, had to make it look official." Swipe unlocked her handcuffs. The Baroness leaned against the wall while he opened the cell door. "Look, I appreciate the dough and I'll be sure to write up a nice report, but why this cell? I mean, with the right grease I could maybe get you sent to a work farm, maybe arrange an early 'release', you understand?"
"You're sweet," she caressed his cheek, "but I do my best thinking alone. There will be a good bonus for you in the usual spot." Von Gunther stepped inside the cell before Swipe slammed it shut. Once she was sure he was gone, she dropped to her knees.
Grabbing the ratty mattress that was her sole comfort in the cell, she rolled it up and tossed it aside. Pressing one of the stones, she was rewarded when the floor slid away. Descending down the roughly hewed stairs, she followed then into a larger antechamber. Hails from the gathered crowd greeted her as she ascended a small platform and took her seat. A full meal was placed next to her throne with a glass of wine perched on the arm.
"How goes our progress?" Von Gunther asked as she dined on a fat chicken.
One of the hooded figures approached. "It goes well Baroness. Our spies have sunk another ship and captured an American agent."
"Excellent, where is he?"
"We brought him here."
The Baroness nodded as she ate. "Bring him forward." A badly beaten man in the sweat stained remains of a US Army dress uniform was thrown to her feet.
"Captain, Loyal, 12-" He began, but Von Gunther held up a hand.
"Don't embarrass yourself further captain. You have information and I will get it."
He spat at her feet. "I'll never break! You rats will have to kill me first!"
"Tempting, and we've done so before, but presently our methods have changed with the times." Swallowing another bite of chicken, she gestured to the back of the chamber. "Heinrich, bring me my special tool."
A heavyset man with a handlebar mustache stepped forward with an oddly colored disk attached to a motor. Loyal's face was forced towards the disk as Von Gunther flicked a switch. The disk began to spin slowly but increased speed. "Tell me what you know. What were your last orders?"
"General...wanted troops movements in England…to be posted" Loyal gasped before he went limp.
"Bah, his will is still unbroken!" Heinrich kicked the dazed captain in the ribs. "You have failed Baroness!" The other robed figures started to murmur.
Von Gunther lit a cigarette and swore. "And I've had nothing but success since we started this operation!" She quickly put the cigarette out on Loyal's neck. "Wonder Woman is here."
"What? Are you sure?" The bluster died in Heinrich's voice.
"The American major, he had a woman with him. Her bearing, poise, she must be Wonder Woman, and if she is she might have that accursed lasso with her."
"Lasso? How would that help?"
Von Gunther remembered Heinrich's rank and his influential friends. Those were the only things keeping her from slapping him in the face. "Her lasso can do many things besides tie people up. If I could get my hands on it, then there would be no stopping us."
-At that exact same moment
It was lonely being the children of the warden. Due to the remote location of the prison, both his son Freddy and his daughter Mabel were tutored on site. Today being the closest thing to a summer break they had, both children amused themselves as best they could. Mabel was curled up in her room with her dolls and books. Freddie was decked out in his finest Roy Rogers duds and practicing his roping skills with a lasso made from tied together shoelaces.
An attempt to pretend his sister's ankles belonged to a bucking bronco got him chased from the room. Wandering around the small batch of dirt dubbed a yard, he walked over to the bungalows that were being used as guest housing. "Hello?" He knocked on the nearest door. When no one answered he slipped a spare key he had swiped from his father's desk and let himself inside.
Freddie didn't consider himself a thief by inclination but he was curious. What other people kept in their pockets and behind closest doors fascinated him. The only thing he knew about the guests was that they were some kind of bigwigs with the Army; aside from that he didn't care. Moving through the two room building he browsed through the woman's belongings. There was nothing of note except from a small bundled rope in the bottom of her bag.
"Golly, a real lasso!" Freddie uncoiled it and twirled it. It seemed to move on its accord in his hands. "I got to show Mabel, she'll flip!" He rushed out, leaving the bag open and the front door unlocked.
-WW
Slipping back to her room, the Queen of the Amazon's slipped off her shoes and stretched before heading back to her bedroom. She stopped cold when she saw her open back. "This proves it! Von Gunther must have stolen my lasso!"
-WW
After seeing to the captured GI, Von Gunther was lead out of her cell back towards the recreation yard. She stopped when she noticed Freddie playing outside the fence. "Swipe, that lasso the boy holds, I must have it!"
"What? Why, it just looks like a bit of rope. You could find a decent one in the laundry if you looked." The thick-necked guard poked her along with his baton.
"Stop you fool! I order you to get that rope! I'll pay double!" Von Gunther hissed, desperate to keep from speaking above a whisper.
"Well, why didn't you say so?" Swipe marched over to the fence. "Hey kid!"
"Yes?" Freddie approached Swipe carefully. His father made it clear that he was to leave the adults alone when they were working.
"Gimme that rope kid!" Swipe gestured towards the lasso.
"No!" Freddie stepped back. Swipe snarled.
"Give me that rope! I bet you stole it, didn't you? Why, wait until I tell your old man about the little jailbird he's been raising!"
"No, don't do that!" Freddie paled. He lowered his head and passed the lasso through the fence-links.
Swipe chuckled as he coiled the rope. Once he was off the yard he passed the bundle to Von Gunther. "I'm going to have to charge triple this time." He added before he let go.
Anger flashed across her features, but the Baroness kept a lid on it. "Of course, we'll have the payment ready in the usual spot by tonight."
Swipe tipped his hat. "Pleasure doing business with you!" he strolled off. Von Gunther looked at the golden lasso in her hands.
"You have no idea!"
-WW
Wonder Woman paced her room. "Someone has stolen the lasso, but who? Von Gunther is the obvious suspect, but how?" She rubbed the bridge of her nose. "And where is it now?"
Just then, Freddie walked by the window, forlornly kicking a stray rock. "That mean old Swipe!"
An idea came to her. "If Yeoman Polly Prince doesn't have the answers, maybe Wonder Woman can!" Slipping off her glasses, she started to spin. Her uniform quickly vanished as it was replaced with the red and blue uniform of Wonder Woman.
Slipping out the back door, she rounded the corner. "Hello"
Freddie's eyes nearly bugged out of their sockets. "Wonder Woman! Golly!"
"I see you're dressed as a cowboy. Do you know any rope tricks?"
"A couple," Freddie pulled his old lasso out of pocket. "I had a better lasso, but Officer Swipe made me give it up. I was going to return it, I swear!"
"Wait, you had another? Was it gold?" She stepped back as Freddie showed her a few spins with the rope. She gently took it when he offered it to her.
"Gosh, it was. It was the neatest thing ever!"
"Do you know where this Swipe is now?" She neatly snagged a fence post on her first try.
"I guess he'd be over near the medical shack by now. That's where he usually sneaks off to smoke when he think no one is watching."
"Thank you for the lasso. I'll make sure you get a better replacement." She handed the toy back and dashed off towards the medical shack.
-WW
She was too late. Swipe lay crumped behind the low brick building, his neck crushed. She sighed with irritation as a group of guards rushed towards her. "Holy, Wonder Woman killed Swipe!" one of them shouted.
"What? Don't be ridiculous." She poked the corpse with her sandal. "Look at the marks on his neck. His killer had obviously larger hands than mine." She held her hand over his neck to compare. "Besides, I only just arrived here. This man has been dead for an hour at least."
"Yeah, save it for the judge, let's get her boys!" The nearest guard shouted. Wonder Woman shook her head in annoyance.
A baton across her forehead made her wince, but more in sympathy for the guard as he staggered back holding his arm. "Use of force won't be necessary, I'll submit to your authority." She held up her hands.
"Think it's a trick?" One of the younger guards asked.
"And what if it is? She could bust out of here with no sweat. If she wants to go along quietly, I agree. Someone call the warden and the sheriff. I can't imagine what kind of paperwork this is going to involve." One of the older guards sighed.
Wonder Woman went along with the guards. As they escorted her towards the main yard, she slowed down as they passed the women's area. It was fleeting, but she saw a brief and all too familiar glimpse of gold being stuffed into Von Gunter's pocket. "I knew it!" She seethed. She continued to follow the guards, as a confrontation might prove fatal with so many innocents between them.
-WW
Reaction was swift. Steve was there at her cell when she arrived. "This is insane!"
"I agree, but I need you to call your superiors. I'll stay in this cell to calm the guards."
"But you're innocent!" Steve protested.
"I know, and you know, but tensions are running high." She leaned in close. "Von Gunther has my lasso. I'll stay here, but I need you to radio Washington and my people and tell them."
Steve nodded and left. Wonder Woman sat down on the rough concrete floor. "Hera protect him."
-WW
Steve slipped into the car and grabbed the radio when someone in the backseat pressed a familiar weight into the back of his neck. "Nice try, but ease out of the car buddy. My boss wants a talk with you."
-WW
Wonder Woman paced the cell. It seemed like hours since Steve had left. Freddie rushed to her window. "Wonder Woman, there's trouble!"
"What is it?"
"I saw my daddy being dragged out of his office by a bunch of guards!" The boy was near tears. "You have to help him!"
"I will." With the barest of effort, she tore the bars from her cell and stepped outside. "Where are they taking him?"
"Near the solitary confinement building!"
"Stay here, I'll handle this."
She broke into a sprint. She cleared yards in seconds as she rushed towards the solitary confinement area. The yard was empty, which puzzled her. "The guards should have spotted me the second I rushed out." She stopped and looked around. The watchtowers were empty. "Either all the guards are in with the Baroness or they've already subdued the one who aren't. My tasks are growing by the second."
With one kick she knocked the doors down and strolled inside. Tearing a nearby fire hose free from its casing, she stopped as armed guards poured into the narrow hallway. "I take it to understand you are working for Baroness Von Gunther?"
"She pays better than Uncle Sam." One of the closer guards smirked as he raised his shotgun.
With a twitch of her arm, she tossed the end of the hose at him. The brass fitting connected squarely between his eyes. He staggered back, his gun going off and taking out the lights.
The guards, now in a full panic, all started to fire. Using her bracelets, Wonder Woman easily bounced the shot harmlessly away as she waded through them. She barely paid attention as she knocked scores of them down, focusing entirely on the door in front of her.
Tearing the door open, she entered the main portion of the building. Alongside the guards she also saw nearly a dozen figures in black robes. "Where is Von Gunther?"
Von Gunther walked out from a cell. "Right here swine, but I'd show a bit more respect if I were you." She tugged, dragging Steve Trevor behind her with the golden lasso binding his arms. "Throw down your arms and I'll spare the major and the warden. What do you say?"
Wonder Woman ripped a table free from the concrete floor and spun it like a discus, clearing a path to Von Gunther's cell. The baroness pushed Trevor in front of her and darted inside as Wonder Woman easily cleared a path towards him.
Tearing his gag free, Wonder Woman regained her lasso as Trevor talked. "The warden is in another cell. Von Gunther has a secret cave under the building and an escape route to the wall! Stop her and I'll keep your pals busy!" Trevor picked up a dropped pistol and a shattered table leg.
Wonder Woman nodded and tore through the secret door. "Von Gunther!" she shouted, her voice echoing down the corridor.
Running as fast as she could, she raced past the secret chamber and spied the open hole to outside. With a might leap she jumped across the room and continued through the hole to the outside.
"Don't you ever give up?" Von Gunther swore as she climbed down the wall to the cliffs outside.
"Does justice ever falter?" Wonder Woman leapt from the wall and landed nearby.
"Enough of this banter!" Von Gunter drew a pistol and fired. With a flash, Wonder Woman crossed her arms, bouncing the bullet off her enchanted bracelets. The ricochet bounced back and struck Von Gunther through the chest. She looked down at her bloody chest. "Not…fair." The pistol slipped from her hand.
"No!" Wonder Woman rushed forward, but Von Gunther held up a weak hand as she staggered back.
"You've been an honorable foe, but let it end, please." Von Gunther choked before she fell backward over the edge.
Horrified, Wonder Woman ran to the edge in time to see Von Gunther hit the dark water. A U-boat broke the surface. Without a thought she jumped off the cliff and landed on the deck. She tore the top hatch free and pulled the first crewman out. "Surrender your ship." Her voice was firm and she tightened the golden lasso around the struggling man.
"Aufgeben!" The man cried in German. Wonder Woman scanned the raging waves as the crew left the ship.
Armed cavalrymen appeared on the narrow beach, Steve leading the charge. "Got a radio call out to the 103 Division; they're helping mop up the prison." He stayed with her as the submarine was searched.
They were mostly silent as they worked. As the last prisoner was secured and reports were called in, Steve looked at her. "You ok angel?"
"I should have been able to save her Steve." Wonder Woman shook her head.
"She had tried to kill you and others you know." Steve walked with her back to the shore.
"True, but I can't help but feel that I could have done more, tried the Amazon way of love to reform her."
"Maybe, but I'm just a solider, angel. It's not for me to decide where the enemy goes."
"Something to ponder Steve." Wonder Woman looked as Von Gunther's forces were rounded up by the arriving Army. "Justice must prevail over tyranny in all forms, Steve or we lose the battle no matter what we've done."
The end
Based on "The Master Plan of Paula Von Gunther" which was first published in Wonder Woman I#1 (Summer 1942) with credits to Charles Moulton/William Marston (script) and HG Peter (pencils/inks).
Next time look for the Greatest Feat of Daring in Human History!
Sensational mail
Not much mail, but things have been crazy busy lately. More tales will be added and possible a new series as well, so stay tuned! Extra special thanks to Darci for proofreading this tale.
And be sure to keep an eye out for the upcoming tales as well.
Action Comics#8-Superwoman into the Slums!
Detective Comics#8-The Peril in Paris!