We may need to make our own luck, Steve thought. Then he caught the pleased expression on Diana's face. And I think we're up to the task. - Nancy Holder, Wonder Woman movie novelization (2017)
Ares chuckled inwardly, having seen the moment Antiope recognized him. Let's see what you'll do now, Antiope, since you know full well you can't call me out here. Not only would no one believe you, I know full well the creed of you Amazons to protect this waste of humanity as requested by Zeus. You won't risk it, even if you felt there was a chance your accusation would be believed. He put a smile on his face as he followed the mortal woman towards the small group in the corner.
Now the game of cat and mouse truly begins…
"Sir Patrick," Steve stated stiffly as he and the other men stood up. He felt somewhat put out that Etta had informed Sir Patrick Morgan of his whereabouts and very likely what he was planning to do. The off-the-books mission was only to be known by Colonel Darnell, and he hadn't even told the man of who exactly he was planning to meet to procure what he needed to go off on this excursion. The less he knew, the more he could claim plausible deniability, in case things went south. He'd informed Ella of all of this just before he left the War Building and made it clear it wasn't to be shared with anyone. She had only been informed so she would be able to get in touch with Darnell in case he didn't come back.
That Morgan had somehow managed to get her to talk didn't sit well with him, either, to be honest. Steve wondered what had made the man suspicious, as he believed he and Darnell had come up with a plausible excuse for his soon to occur absence.
Something of his thoughts must have made themselves apparent on his face, as she had an apologetic expression on her face as they approached. With a shrug, she also made a gesture with her hand, indicating to him to calm down, something Steve wasn't sure he could do.
Unfortunately, there was nothing else to be done now, as Morgan was here and Steve knew from experience there was no use in lying to the man. He always seemed to know when someone was being less than honest with him.
Damn it , thought Steve grimly, as Morgan and Etta reached the table. More complications. Just what we didn't need.
Unaware of the thoughts churning in Steve's head, Morgan smiled at the group as he and Etta arrived at the table. "Sit, gentlemen. Please sit."
All of them did as Sir Patrick requested, while he pulled up a chair and joined them at the table. Once he sat down, he continued, "I have heard there is an endeavor underway. One that stands a very large chance of you all being either court-martialled or killed."
"I assume you're here to stop us," Steve said, still somewhat stiffly, uncertain where this conversation was going. Morgan could make their lives very difficult with just a few words in the right ear.
However, Morgan just chuckled and replied, "Far from it, gentlemen. Believe it or not, I was young once myself and understand well the desire to do something honorable. So, I am willing to fund your endeavor. Unofficially, of course. "
Steve shot a sidelong glance at the women next to him, wondering what they made of this. Diana was smiling brightly, while Antiope's face was closed off, blank.
Something about the elder woman's expression set off alarm bells in his head, but something else also warned Steve that it would be a bad idea to draw attention to it at this moment.
An impulse he was grateful for, as Antiope cut in just as Diana was opening her mouth to reply: "How...kind of you," she said evenly, though Steve noted there was a tension in her jaw as she spoke.
Almost as if she was forcing herself to refrain from saying something she very much desired to.
Steve didn't like it. As a trained soldier, his instincts were screaming at him that something wasn't right here, and that Antiope knew exactly what it was.
She must have sensed she was being watched, for she gave a small, almost unnoticeable, shake of her head.
Sir Patrick, meanwhile, had met the elder Amazon's gaze with a barely there smile. "As I said, I believe in an honorable cause."
Antiope didn't even return the smile as she replied tersely, "Of course you do."
"Aunt Helen!" Diana finally interjected. "That's no way to speak to someone who's being kind enough to offer help for us."
Steve kept his own features schooled into a calm expression. While he loved the idealism Diana held, Antiope clearly had more experience with the world, even if a limited one. She had a warrior's cynicism and practicality, something that Diana was likely to gain in time, if she lived long enough, he reflected.
He focused his gaze back on Sir Patrick, noticing as he did so, a small smirk of what appeared to be triumph appearing on the man's face. One that shifted quickly enough into a bright smile as he said, "You should listen to your niece. I assure you I have your best interests at heart."
Sir Patrick shifted back in his seat, and crossed his arms over his chest. "So might I ask what you plan to do?"
Steve felt more than just a little uneasiness at this whole situation, but unfortunately, he couldn't afford to look a gift horse in the mouth, no matter what he personally thought of it.
"Determine if there is another weapons storage facility, find it and destroy it ," Steve replied. "We also plan on dealing with Ludendorff and Maru if we find them there."
Sir Patrick rubbed at his chin and mused for a few minutes. Finally, he nodded gravely. "Sounds solid enough," he replied. He then motioned to Etta. "It might be best if you have Miss Candy run the mission from my office. There will be less suspicion from Haig that way."
Steve watched Etta's eyes widen at those words. "Sir!"
Sir Patrick, however, ignored the interruption and instead pulled a fat looking envelope out of his inner coat pocket. Pushing it across the desk, he said, "This should cover your expenses for a few days."
Steve picked it up, still keeping his features as neutral as he could manage. "Thank you, sir."
"Quite welcome," Patrick Morgan replied with a dismissive wave of his hand. "I wish you all the luck in the world and will hope you all return safely."
Diana nodded. "We will," she said, smiling at Sir Patrick as he rose from his chair.
He glanced at Diana, and smiled. "Just be careful, young lady. War is capricious and cares not for who it hurts," he said. Then he glanced at Etta. "Miss Candy, if you would please accompany me back to my office, so we can begin the subterfuge?"
Etta looked over at Steve, who just nodded. There was nothing else he could do. If he refused, Morgan could bring the power of the military down on their heads. Even Diana and her aunt wouldn't escape unscathed, he knew.
As Etta followed Sir Patrick out of the bar, Steve looked over the rest of the group. Sammy's features were blank, but he could see a grim expression in the man's eyes. Charlie grabbed his drink and swallowed it down quickly. Antiope still looked tense. Only Diana seemed to be the most relaxed of them all.
Turning back to face the door, Steve watched as Morgan and Etta passed through it and out into the night. He grimaced.
"I wish you all the luck in the world..."
Something told Captain Steve Trevor they would need as much of that as they could get.
As he walked back to the War Building, Etta Candy by his side, Ares grinned inwardly.
So round one goes to me, Antiope.
Unfortunately, you won't make it past the next one.
He allowed the smile to appear onto his outward mask.
Neither will your precious "Godkiller".
A/N: Sorry about the delay. Lack of will to write caused me to slack off on all writing for a while. Didn't start feeling it again until around Christmas.
And sorry about the short length of this chapter, but I think it ended in a good place. Also felt that the wait had been long enough for you all. This will mark the end of the London arc, and next chapter will see our travelers finally heading for the front.
Still, I will start work on the next chapter immediately after this, as I don't want to leave you hanging for very long, given the short length of this one.