Chapter Eight: Alley Way Brawl And The War Council.

On their way down the street, Steve got the feeling they were being watched and possible followed. He saw a man reading a paper, though it was clearly a front, for the man gave him a small glance, a rather dirty looking one too. Being spies, both Steve and Jerry knew they always had to keep their guard up, no matter where they were. A man walked by them and pulled his trench coat collar up, trying to hide his face. Jerry shared a glance with the man, who brushed by them, nudging Diana into Tom's side.

Feeling the jolt, Tom steadied himself and looked for the jerk who pushed Diana, spotting the man, and frowning. "Hey, Pal, Watch where you're going next time!" signed Tom, shaking his fist at the man, who kept on walking.

"This way," said Steve, leading them down an alley way.

"Steve, what's this about?" Diana was surprised by Steve's move, and turned to see a man following after them. She kept close to Steve, since she had no idea where they were going. Steve stopped and leaned against a building, glancing back at the alley.

Tom arched a brow and looked at Jerry, who gave him a fearful expression. Tom stood close to the humans and his ears flinched a few times, picking up movement. He leaned over to try and tell Steve that they weren't safe, unfortunately Steve didn't take notice to the cat. Tom tugged at Diana's coat, hoping to get her attention instead. Diana looked down and him. "Steve, Tom thinks-" started Diana, turning to Steve, who seemed busy.

Steve thought they were in the clear, and was about to exit the alley when a gun was held to his head. The four stopped and stood back as a man in the trench coat came out from hiding. They stood with their backs to the stone wall and stayed still. "Hello, Mr. Trevor, we're here for the book. Now pass it over and no harm will come to you, and your lady friend." The gunman had a heavy German accent. He walked around to the front of them, keeping the gun up to Steve's face.

Steve's first instinct was to keep Diana safe, so he threw his arms up to block her from the gunman, willing to get shot to protect her. "Stand back."

Tom stood behind the pair and kept his eye on another man, who entered the alley way, trying to sneak up on them from behind. The first gunman's weapon went off and Diana threw her hand over Steve's stomach, stopping the bullet with her cuff before it could hit him. The shell fell into his opened palm and he tossed the hot metal object about before dropping it. He was stunned and looked from the astounded gunman to Diana. "Maybe not."

The other man behind them shot and Tom stopped it with his own armor, sending the shell back to hit the man's hand. The sting cause the man drop the gun, bending down to pick it back up. Tome flew forward and sent his knee up to catch the man across the chin, throwing a fist across his face to knock him to the pavement. Jerry was on Steve's shoulder and watched the fearless feline tackle the man to the ground like a football player, punching him a few times to keep him down.

The first man shot at them, but Diana was able to block each bullet with her cuffs, taking out windows, and killing a few of the hitmen who stepped out of the shadow. She watched as the last gunman tried to shoot her, only to run out of ammo, tossing the gun at them before raising his fists up. Steve punched the man in the face, knocking him to the stone, where he lay unconscious. Steve stared at Diana with amazement and awe, unable to believe her strength, and courage to defend them.

Behind them, Tom kicked the gun aside with a sweep of his foot, grabbing the man's hand and twisted his back to him. With a mighty tug, the man was brought up and over the cat's small body, where he was slammed to the ground. The man had the wind knocked out of him, and was held down by Tom. Jerry was standing by Tom, watching the cat keep the man down with ease.

"Let us see what he can tell us." Diana looked down at the man, kneeling to face him. "Please, tell us what you know?"

"Neve." He broke a tooth off and foamed at the mouth before becoming still.

"H-he's dead?" said Diana, picking up his wrist and feeling for a pulse, only to find none.

"Yeah, it's what they do to avoid capture. Let's gets going." Steve stepped over the body and walked out of the alley way, leaving the dead men behind.

Diana and Tom shared a quick glance, but followed none the less. Tom, with Jerry on his shoulder ran to keep up with the humans, passing several people on the side walk. They went in a towering skyscraper, but the man they wanted to see was in meeting, so they climbed a flight of stairs to reach the meeting room. Steve went to the dark brown doors and let Diana know to wait outside the room with a gesture of his hand. He left and Diana looked down to Tom, and without hesitation they entered the room. In the room, older men sat in long ales, arguing and shouting back and forth with each other. Diana walked to where Steve was standing and listened to an aging British man. The man stood on a podium and tried to get the other men's attention, doing his best to speak up among the crowd.

"We want peace, and I think Germany is preparing to surrender! And-and wait a minute. What is a woman doing in here?" inquired the British man, looking at Diana. All heads turned and everyone's eyes were fixed to her, and when they noticed Tom, things got even worse. The British man fixed his glasses and leaned far over the podium, trying to figure out why the feline was wearing a coat and standing up right like a human. "Egad, is that a cat? What in gods name is a woman, and her cat, doing in this room? This is a place for men only, Steve, please take them, and leave immediately."

"Yes, Sir Patrick Morgan. Sorry to disturb you, but I have something of great importance for you, that I think will help." Steve pulled the book from within his coat and held it up for the all man to see.

"Mr. Trevor, please take your friend and her cat out of this room at once." Sir Morgan gestured for them to leave.

Steve sighed and took Diana by the hand, leading her out of the room. The room was silent until the door shut and they went back to yelling. Tom of course rolled his eyes. "I don't get it, they were sitting there and then they go right back to arguing. Makes no senses." The three waited till the meeting was over and went to speak with Sir Patrick, who came out of the room last.

"Sir Patrick, I must speak with you at once. I have Isabel Maru's book, a book that holds all her plans." Steve passed the book to Patrick, who took it and looked it over. Hoping the man would be glad to hear the new, Patrick seemed lost as he skimmed over the pages.

"Trevor, I can't read this. It's in some foreign language. How are we suppose to read it, if we can't understand it?" Patrick handed it back to Steve and his train of thought went Diana and Tom. "Steve, who is this woman, with the odd looking cat?"

"I am Diana princ-" started Diana walking forward, and extending her hand to the man.

"Prince, Diana Prince. She's my secretary. She's a very good secretary, sir," Steve interrupted the woman in mid sentence.

While Steve spoke Diana could see the words written in the small opened book, realizing they looked familiar. "That's the Themyscira language. I can read it," exclaimed Diana, gaining both of the men's attention.

Patrick was taken aback and looked to Steve, who nodded. "Perhaps she might be useful after all, Trevor." The next thing they knew, they were in a room with a few Generals, who sat at a table.

"What's with all these old geezers?" Tom questioned, gaining a jab from Jerry.

"These are the Generals, very high in brass." Jerry pointed out.

"Really, they look like they need to retire." Tom found it odd how these overweight, gray haired men were seen as warriors. Maybe his version of warriors differed from mankind's version of warrior men.

In the large room was a large table with a great map on a blackboard, with little markers on it, signifying important places. Diana was given the book and looked around, getting ready to read. Tom stood off to her side, giving her a nod and a smile of encouragement. With a breath, Diana began. "It's a formula, for a new kind of gas, mustard gas. Hydrogen based instead of safer." Diana flipped through the pages, making sure she was correct.

"That means gas masks will be useless against hydrogen," said Patrick with concern.

"The book says they plan to release the gas to the front line." Diana glanced up from the book to the men, who went silent. Tom looked it over the map and saw a place called No Mans Land. With a curious gaze, he turned back to the woman, noticing things in the room got awfully quiet, to quiet.

"That, that's what we need. We need to find where the gas is made, and burn it to the ground. Destroy it," said Steve, taking the book and placing it down.

"Why would they do that? They'd only kill more of their own," said one of the Generals. The others shook their heads, uncertain of the books contents. They were assured by Patrick she was legit, but they were still skeptical none the less. "Are you sure miss?"

"Yes and if I have to switch languages to prove it I will. I can speak in The Themyscira language," said Diana, switching to her native tongue, throwing the men off.

"I believe Miss Prince. Bombing the front sounds like something Maru would do. Not caring who they kill, as long as they kill someone." Spat one man, rubbing at his beard.

"What are we waiting for, let's go stop them. If men's lives are in danger, we should do something." Diana got caught up, perhaps a bit too caught up, for if one read the room, there a an uneasy silence that swept over all.

They gave her a sympathetic look and cast their eyes away from her, not wanting to be the bearer of bad news. "I'm afraid it's not that simple. It's near the village of Veld, which is under the control of Germany. In the long run, we need to focus on other things. Besides, the Germans are preparing to surrender."

"Yes, and we don't want either of you to engage in this any further, understood Mr. Trevor?" questioned a man, looking over at Steve, who frowned.

"Sir, I've seen the gas with my own eyes. If we don't do something, men will die on both sides. They will all die."

"That's what soldiers do captain," said a heavier sent General. "Captain, you will do nothing, and that is a direct order."

While conflicted morally, Steve had no choice but to stand down. "Yes sir, I understand sir."

"I don't." Diana poke up. Tom too, was unhappy to hear what the man had to say, crossing his arms over his chest. "Not one bit."

"Diana, look I know you don't understand," started Steve, going over to keep a lid on her for it was clear she was about to blow.

"This is not confusing, I see it clearly now." She pushed Steve back, looking to the supposed Generals. "You would knowingly sacrifice all those lives, as if they mean less then your own. As if they mean, nothing. Where I come from, Generals don't hide behind their desks in offices like cowards, they fight alongside their soldiers. They die with them on the battle field, with honor, and grace. You should be ashamed."

"Yeah, you bunch of wimps!" added Tom, slamming his fist on a near by table. "All of you, complete, and utter, cowards." With the cestus' heavy weight, the impact broke the table in half. He smiled sheepishly as the papers fluttered to the floor. Slowly, he inched his way over to Diana, turning the focus back to her.

She stood tall and glanced from one man to the other. "All of you should be ashamed." Diana left in a huff, join by Tom, who put an 'L' shaped paw to his forehead, giving the Generals a raspberry before flipping them off. The room was silent, and everyone jumped when they heard the door slam shut.

"Yeah, she's a bit stubborn and-." Steve grinned nervously to the Generals and headed to the door.

"Trevor, get out."

"Right, good day sirs." Steve rushed to leave, wanting to catch up to Diana. She made her way down the steps and was grabbed her by the arm, wanting her to hear what he had to say. "Diana!" Being stronger then him, she simply drug him along, walking down the flight of stairs. "Diana, wait, please, listen to me, slow down will you."

"That's your leader? How could a leader say that, do that?" Her expression was a mix of confusion, and frustration. "And you, was it your duty to simply give them a book. You didn't stand your ground, you didn't fight."

"Because there was no chance of changing his mind."

"This is Ares! And he's not going to allow a negotiation, or a surrender!" cried Diana, throwing her hands up, and raising her voice. "The millions of people you talked about, they are going to die!"

"She's right, she's right and you know it, Steve." Tom nodded. "Ares must be responsible for the great war. So, Diana and I must stop him and all cost."

Steve tried to calm her, as people gave them a side ways glance. "We're going anyway!"

"You were lying?"

"Yes, I'm a spy, it's what I do."

"How do I know you're not lying to me right now?" Diana folded her arms over her chest, giving him a skeptical look. "You very well could've been playing me from the start."

"I didn't lie to you, and I'll show you, prove it to you." Steve took the lasso and wrapped it around his hand, making Tom and Jerry's eyes widened. "I will take you to the front. We're all going to die, this is a terrible idea. Dang lasso of truth." Steve let go of it and met Diana's soft gaze, seeing the woman had settled down. He gave her a small grin and held his hand out to shake her own. "I promise Diana, I will help you, if you help me."

"You have a deal." Diana took it, squeezing his hand and shaking it roughly. "And you better be good on it, else."

"Don't worry, I won't betray you." Steve grimaced.

With the deal made, they went to leave. Before doing so, Tom noticed Patrick watching them from a top the stairs. With a snort, Tom stormed after the two humans, holding Jerry in his paw. He was glad the pair stopped bickering and hoped Steve would be true to his wrod, so thye could fight and end the Great War.