Chapter 19: No Man's Land
At the Veterans Day Parade, Diana stood in full costume on a float commemorating the men who fell in World War I. The float was dominated by a collage of photos and trinkets of those who had fallen. Diana was at the front of it, waving to the crowds as she heard the sounds of "It's a Long Way to Tipperary" being played by the marching band behind her. Her eyes drifted to the collage of images, resting on a copy of the photograph in her office. Her eyes rested on Steve Trevor's image, letting out a sigh as her mind drifted once again.
…
1918, Public Bar
The sounds of drunken laughter and loud music filled the air as Steve led Diana through the doors of a pub in the heart of London. The air was thick with cigar smoke and several people appeared to be passed out drunk at various tables and at the bar.
"This is where we will find our reinforcements?" Diana questioned.
"Yep." Steve nodded.
"Are these even good men?" She asked.
"Depends on how you define good." Steve replied. "There's one of em, now."
The two head over to a booth were a man is talking to a crowd. He appeared to be of mediteranian descent and was wearing a red fez on his head.
"Even in Africa, gentlemen," He spoke. "We haven't seen such luxuries. But the luxury now is, we can't stop making money. So, my uncle, the prince, and I-"
"Excuse me," Steve cut off. "Which prince was that?"
The man was rendered speechless as he looked up to see Steve.
"Just trying to recall." Steve continued. "Cairo? Morocco? Bangladesh?"
"Um… excuse me gentlemen." The man said as he got up and went over to Steve. "What the hell are you doing here? I was in the middle of conducting some very important business dealings."
"We need your help." Steve replied.
"We?" the man repeated.
"We." Diana confirmed, walking up and surprising the man.
"Sameer, Diana. Diana, Sameer." Steve introduced.
"A pleasure, madame." Sameer replied, taking her hand and kissing it.
"Likewise, I'm sure." Diana replied with slight uncertainty.
"Sameer is a world class undercover man." Steve told her. "He could talk the skin off a cat in just about as many languages as you can."
"Is that so?" Diana asked in spanish.
"Absolutely, my dear." Sameer replied in the same language.
"Even so, you do not seem that impressive to me." Diana continued, switching to chinese.
"You do to me." Sameer responded, mirroring her dialect. "Your eyes, as soft as your smile…"
"And your eyes…" She retorted in ancient greek. "Look like they want something."
Sameer blinked and Diana smiled triumphantly.
"Okay, you're done." Steve said in relief. "Where's Charlie?"
Just then, the sounds of yelling and breaking glass rang out through the pub. The three looked over and saw one man wailing on another. One losing man was thrown up against the counter as the other man landed one punch after another.
"Et voila." Sammy replied, gesturing to the fight.
"At least he's good with his fists." Diana remarked.
"That's not Charlie." Steve corrected.
Diana quickly looked at Steve in surprise before looking back and seeing the losing man being knocked to the floor.
"That's Charlie." Steve informed.
…
Later, the four of them are sitting at a table as Charlie downed a glass of whiskey.
"So Charlie, how ya been?" Steve asked.
"Oh, I've been alright." Charlie replied in a thick irish accent. "Bettah now tha' I know ya ain't pushin' up daisies in Germany somewhere."
"So, what were you two fighting about?" Diana asked.
"I mistook his glass for me own." Charlle answered, taking another glass of whisky.
Diana looked at Charlie in disgust, then leaned in towards Steve.
"This man is no fighter." she insisted. "He seems more of a follower of Dionysus ."
"Charlie may not be the most… poised," Steve admitted. "But he is an expert at marksmanship."
"So he is good with those… 'guns', did you call them?" Diana surmised.
"Right, and yes." Steve confirmed on both counts.
"They never knew wha hit 'em." Charlie boasted.
"So you fight without ever seeing their faces." Diana pieced together.
"Makes things easier, I find." Charlie replied.
"You may have skill, but you lack honor." Diana commented.
"Sorry ta say so, but honor don't pay that well." Charlie retorted.
"Speaking of which, what's the job?" Sameer chimed in. "You'd only come if it was important."
"It is." Steve confirmed. "We need entry into Belgium to shut down a laboratory manufacturing poisonous gas."
"Ack." Charlie spat. "You want dishonor, missie, that's wha' ya should be hatin'."
"Believe me, I do." Diana replied.
"So, what's it pay?" Sameer asked.
"Um…" Steve replied. "The rewards for… such an endeavor will be… immense in… value, and…"
"You have no money." Sameer cut off.
"No, no I do not." Steve admitted.
"You've got to be kidding me." Charlie let out.
"I would consider a photo of you as payment." Sameer directed to Diana in french.
"You will not need a photo." Diana replied in french as well. "Because I am coming with you."
"Wait, what?" Sameer let out in english. "She's coming?"
"Believe me, we need her." Steve insisted.
"Not a chance, Stephen." Charlie declared. "I'm not puttin' my neck out for some broad ya just brought in. She wouldn't last a minute in No Man's Land."
"There you are, you thief." the man Charlie encountered before let out, holding a gun out. "Time I teach you something about-"
Then, in an instant, Diana sprang up, yanked the gun out of his hand and grabbed him by the wrist. The man was astonished by what had happened, but before he could react, Diana struck him in the chest, knocking him into a wall. He slid to the ground as everyone scrambled to get away from Diana. The man she's thrown struggled to his feet, clutching his wrist as if it was broken. As he ran out of the pub, Sameer just stared at Diana.
"Beautiful, yet terrifying." Sameer commented. "Like the Amazons of legend."
"So," Steve quickly spoke up before Diana could get a word in. "are you two in?"
"I am." Sameer responded. "Charlie?"
"Well, ain't got much bettah ta do, but how're we gunna git there?" Charlie questioned.
"Still working on that." Steve admitted.
"Pardon me, gentlemen." a voice spoke up.
Everyone turned and saw, to their surprise, Sir Patrick entering the pub.
"Perhaps I could be of aid." He offered.
"Sir Patrick?" Steve let out. "What are you doing here?"
"Lending my services." He told them.
"And why did you not back at British Intelligence?" Diana questioned.
"I couldn't take the chance." He admitted. "I believe there is a spy among our ranks. Surely you realize it too, considering what almost happened with the journal."
"That makes sense." Steve admitted. "Looks like going off the books really was the way to go."
"So it seems." Diana admitted.
"I can provide you and your… team, with transport into Belgium." Sir Patrick continued. "Perhaps your secretary, Miss Candy, can help run the mission through my office."
"No offense, but why would you help us?" Steve asked. "You were the one most for the armistice. Wouldn't this jeopardize everything you've been working for?"
"Only if people know about this." Sir Patrick replied. "And if you're right, then no armistice can stop what Ludendorff has planned."
"We will." Diana promised.
"Then, you depart tomorrow morning." Sir Patrick responded.
…
The next day, the four of them arrived at a train station. It was overrun with people going on and off trains, just trying to get to where they needed to go. As Diana looked around, she could see things like a group of soldiers sharing a drink together, and men saying goodbye to their families and loved ones, the latter reminding Diana of her leaving home not that long ago.
"Fresh Ice Cream!" a vendor called out. "Fresh Ice Cream here! Made today! Hello, miss. Care to buy an Ice Cream?"
"Me?" Diana asked.
"Of course!" he insisted. "Best ice cream in London."
"Go for it." Steve encouraged.
"Well…" Diana pondered. "Alright."
She took the cone as Steve handed the vendor a few dollars. Diana took a bite of the frozen treat, and a huge smile graced her face.
"This is wonderful!" Diana proclaimed. "You should be very proud of your craft."
"Thank ya, ma'am." the vendor replied as Steve and Diana continued walking.
"Well, I'd say you made his day." Steve commented.
"He deserved it." Diana insisted. "Good work should be rewarded."
"Indeed it does." Steve agreed as they got on the train.
…
After a few hours of travel, the train arrived in Belgium. When they arrived though, Diana was mortified by what she saw. Countless soldiers that had sustained various injuries from battle were being led, carried, or dragged towards the trains. Gun shot wounds, lost limbs, even regular sickness could be counted amongst those who survived. And as much as Diana dreaded it, she had a feeling they were the lucky ones.
"It is worse than you described." Diana let out.
"Yeah, it's gotten bad." Steve admitted. "But, that's why we're here. To try and stop this. Now come on, we've got one last member of the team to pick up."
Diana took one more look at the wounded before moving on.
…
After a days journey, the four of them stopped to make camp for the night. Steve started looking around in the night, something Diana took note of.
"Looking for something?" Diana asked.
"Yeah, Chief." Steve answered. "He should've been here by now.
"Chief?" Diana asked. "Our last member?"
"Yeah, smuggler." Steve replied. "Damn good one too."
"A thief, an assassin, and a smuggler." Diana listed off. "Quite the set of friends you have."
"That sounded like judgement." Steve remarked.
"Merely an observation." Diana insisted. "You've brought in a lot of questionable men for a noble mission."
"Yeah, well, war makes people do questionable things." Steve responded. "I'll bet even the Amazons weren't perfect."
"We Amazons fight to protect the innocent and oppressed." Diana defended.
"Then if I may ask without sounding like a complete jerk, why aren't they here now?" Steve replied. "They seemed pretty cozy on their little Paradise Island."
Diana went silent, honestly unsure how to respond. His point was valid, despite her preconceptions of home and man's world. Before the point could be discussed further, a rustling from the bushes gained their attention. Diana's hand instinctively went to the hilt of her sword as a native american man in a hat with indian feathers on it emerged. Steve smiled immediately, cluing Diana to relax.
"You sure know how to sneak up on a guy, Chief." Steve remarked as the two clasped arms. "Good to see you."
"You, as well." Chief replied before eying Diana. "Who is your friend, here?"
"Diana." she introduced, holding out her hand.
"A pleasure to meet you." Chief replied, shaking her hand.
"So, Chief," Steve spoke up. "You get what I asked for?"
"I did." Chief confirmed, grabbing two bags from the ground and handing them to Steve.
"Let's see." Steve let out, Going through the contents. "We've got British Tea for the Germans, German beer for the British, and Edgar Rice Burough novels for both."
"And guns." Samir let out, holding up one of the rifles Chief brought.
Steve grabbed a few of the beers and distributed them among the group.
"May we get what we want." Charlie declared.
"May we get what we need." Steve continued.
"But may we never get what we deserve!" Samir finished.
They clink their bottles together, then share a drink. Diana couldn't help but smile, admiring the comradery of the group. Once the pleasantries were over, they all got down to business. Steve looked down at a map of the area, planning out their next move.
"Ludendorff was last seen at the front near the Somme." He recalled, pointing to the location on the map. Chief will get us there."
"Then it's another day to safely cross it." Chief added.
"As soon as we have daylight, we move." Steve finished before taking a gun from Chief's stash. "I'll take first watch."
"No need." Charlie insisted with a wave of his bottle. "I'll take it. I never sleep on the job!
…
Later that night, Charlie was fast asleep, his face in the dirt and his butt in the air. Sameer and Steve were also asleep, but in much more dignified positions. Diana found it hard to sleep, the sounds of mass rumblings echoing from the distance.
"What is that?" Diana wondered. "Thunder?"
"German 77's." Chief answered, poking the campfire with a stick. "Guns. big ones."
"You can tell just from the sound?" Diana observed.
"You come to know things when you've been in war as long as I have." Chief replied.
"And who do you fight for in this war?" Diana asked.
"No one." Chief replied.
"So profit then." Diana guessed.
"That a problem?" Chief asked, taking a seat.
"Just curious." Diana replied.
"For me, it's out of necessity." Chief explained. "After the last war, my home was destroyed. I have nowhere to go.
"How did it happen?" Diana inquired.
Chief didn't answer verbally. Instead, he pointed at the sleeping Steve. Diana looked over in confusion.
"His people killed my people." Chief clarified.
"... I'm sorry." Diana told him.
"Don't be." Chief insisted. "It was not your fault. Besides, at least out here, I am free."
Just then, Charlie started screaming in his sleep, alerting the two of them.
"Don't go in there…" Charlie let out. "Don't!"
Diana rushed over and tried to wake him from his nightmare. All of a sudden, Charlie sprang up, startling her.
"Keep your hands off me, woman!" He screamed, pushing her hands away.
Charlie then went off by himself as Diana watched, feeling both confused and concerned.
"He sees ghosts." Chief told her. "Spirits of those he has lost."
Diana just looked off at where Charlie went one last time before sitting back down near the fire. She hadn't been sitting long when a blanket was draped on her. Diana looked back, seeing Steve tending to her the only way he knew how.
"Get some rest." he told her. "Trust me, you'll need it for tomorrow."
…
Meanwhile, at German High Command, the German War Council was in session. Several men were discussing the recent talks for peace as Ludendorff walked in the room, much to everyone's surprise.
"General Ludendorff." Commander Von Hindenburg greeted in a surprised tone. "This is unexpected. When you were absent from the council meeting, we assumed-"
"Why have you begun negotiating the terms of the armistice?" Ludendorff demanded.
"It is at the insistence of the Kaiser." Von Hindenburg replied. "Besides, we are running low on food, medicine, ammunition, and countless German soldiers."
"All I require is one attack, and this war, nay, this world will be ours." Ludendorff promised. "I just need the time."
"Time is up, General." Von Hindenburg informed him. "In truth, none of us have ever had faith in you, or that witch you keep. You are a madman, and not even a true German."
"Vision is too often mistaken for madness." Ludendorff remarked.
"The armistice will come into effect within 24 hours." Von Hindenburg dismissed. "It's over."
Ludendorff just sighed as he walked towards the exit.
"I suppose it is over." Ludendorff admitted, closing the door and breaking the handle off. "For you."
He then reached into his coat, pulling out a canister of Dr. Poison's gas. He threw it to the ground, shattering it and filling the room with the acrid orange smoke. Everyone began to panic, coughing and choking as Ludendorff just stood amidst the chaos, oddly unaffected by the potent and deadly concoction. One by one, the generals began falling over, their skin burning off as they all died slow and painful deaths. After a few minutes, Ludendorff opened the door to see Dr. Poison waiting for him.
"How did it go?" She asked.
"Swimmingly." Ludendorff replied. "Come, we best prepare our demonstration for the Kaiser."
…
The next day, Diana and the others made their way down a dirt road, dotted with people who looked like their lives were utterly destroyed. People's entire homes packed onto wagons moving down the road, children crying due to fear, hunger, cold, or some combination of the three. Diana couldn't help but feel a mixture of devastation and hopelessness as the group continued on, passing family after family, including one whose cart had gotten stuck in the mud so they were striking their mule to move it.
"These people…" Diana let out. "They need help!"
"There's no time!" Charlie told her. "C'mon!"
"But I can help!" Diana insisted.
"Move!" Charlie proclaimed.
Reluctantly, Diana moved forward with the others, stealing one final glance at those in need before moving on.
…
Not much later, the group found themselves in the trenches of No Man's Land, the literal definition of a war zone. The constant sounds of gunshots, soldiers moving back and forth, and explosions rang out as they moved through the trenches.
"Such carnage…" Diana let out.
"You wanted to go to the war, well here it is." Steve replied.
"And the Germans?" Diana inquired.
"About a couple hundred yards that way." Steve directed. "In a trench very similar to this one, and armed to the teeth."
"Chief!" a sentry let out, seeing the group coming. "Oi! Chief's back!"
Several soldiers crowded around, clearly happy to see the smuggler. As they did, Diana felt a tug on her arm, causing her to turn and see an elderly woman clearly distraught as she held her baby daughter.
"What's wrong?" Diana asked.
"The Germans," the woman let out. "They took our village, our homes, our food, everything. We barely escaped. The ones who didn't… they took as slaves."
Upon hearing this story, Diana's resolve was all but solidified.
"Where did this happen?" She asked.
The woman pointed out beyond the trench, just past No Man's Land. She looked down at it with contempt as she started forward. Steve took note of this and moved to stop her.
"Hey, hey hey!" He let out. "Where are you going?"
"These people need help." Diana insisted. "Their village was taken by the Germans, they've lost everything. We have to do something!"
"We can't." Steve told her.
"Can't?!" Diana let out. "These people are suffering, and you would abandon them?!"
"It's not like I want to!" Steve replied.
"Then why-?"
"Because it's not possible!" Steve cut off. "This is called No Man's Land for a reason, Diana! It means no man can cross it. These men have been here for over a year and have barely gained an inch. Because on the other side, are Germany's deadliest soldiers armed with machine guns which they have aimed at every square inch of this place. It's not that I don't care… it's that it can't be done."
"... so we do nothing?" Diana replied after all that. "Is that it?"
"We can't save everyone in this war, Diana." Steve told her. "I know you want to… but it's not what we're here to do."
Diana then turned away in shame, prompting Steve to turn back to the others.
"So, what now?" Steve asked.
"Safe passage won't be possible for another day or so." Chief shared. "In the meantime, we'll-"
"I will admit you may have been right about my people." Diana admitted, prompting Steve to turn back and be surprised at what he saw. "They do stay when the world needs them the most. But I am here now. Saving everyone may not have been the mission, but it's what I'm going to do."
With that, Diana dropped her cloak and climbed a ladder up out of the trench. She was dressed in her red and gold armor, her tiara on her head, shield on her back, and lasso and sword on her belt as she stepped onto the battlefield.
"Diana!" Steve called out.
Diana barely took a few steps before the first shot was sent her way. She just brought up one of her bracelets and deflected the bullet. A second shot was fired, but she deflected that as well. Upon seeing this, the Germans continued the attack, firing more and more shots at her. Diana's walk quickly picked up into a run as she pressed on, deflecting every shot that came her way. Back in the trenches, the others were both amazed and baffled by the display.
"What the bloody hell is she doing?! Charlie let out.
Steve continued watching, noticing that all the fire coming from the Germans was directed solely at one place, on Diana.
"She's taking all the fire!" Steve realized. "Let's go!"
Steve climbed out of the trench to follow Diana, prompting the others to follow.
Diana meanwhile, continued powering through the assault the Germans were laying down on her, deflecting every bullet that came close. Desperate to stop her, the Germans launched a morder at Diana, but she just took out her shield and use it to knock the morder away. The Germans then opened fire with their machine guns, causing Diana to hold fast as she used her shield to block the barrage of bullets. As she was getting pushed back by the attack, Steve and the others came up beside her, much to her surprise. Steve quickly got to sniping some of th German soldiers in the trench, lessening the amount of shooting at Diana. Once she had enough of an opening, she ran forward and made her way into the trench. After knocking a soldier away, she used her shield to smash one of the machine guns.
Witnessing what was happening, the soldiers in the Allied trench quickly got out and began charging towards the Germans. As Diana fought the soldiers, Steve quickly arrived and shot a few, taking them out. She looked over and was relieved to see them.
"The soldiers can take it from here!" Steve told her.
"Then let's go!" Diana proclaimed, leaping out of the trench and sprinted towards the village.
Steve wasted no time following after, with Sameer, Charlie, and Chief not far behind.
…
As Diana approached the village, she was immediately fired upon by German soldiers. She took cover as the others joined her.
"Stay here." She told them. "I'll clear a path."
Steve nodded as she ran ahead. The second she rounded the corner, she was fired upon by a machine gun. She used her shield to block it before leaping up towards the building ad smashing through the window, destroying the gun and alerting the German soldiers present. They all immediately opened fire on her, but she quickly kicked a nearby table and knocked two soldiers back before using a combination of her shield and bracelets to defect the oncoming bullets. She used her shield to bash one soldier aside, sending him flying out the window as Steve and the others ran up.
"Watch out!" Charlie let out as they ran past.
"Let's keep moving!" Steve called out.
Back inside, Diana drew her sword and quickly dispatched several soldiers, evading their own attacks just as easily. One soldier managed to knock her sword out of her hand, but before he could attack, she rolled out of the way. Once she got back up, she pulled out her lasso and threw it around him, pulling him close before using her shield to knock him out. After reclaiming her sword off the ground, she saw one last soldier and ran up to him, knocking him out the window as she landed on an adjacent rooftop. She looked down below and saw the other moving alongside her, making short work of several soldiers, themselves. Chief even threw some bombs at a nearby gate, allowing Steve to shoot at it and blow the gate wide open. She leapt down into a courtyard and began taking out soldiers as Steve and the team arrived. Steve even shot a soldier right before it could attack Diana. Diana turned and saw Steve there, smiling at the gesture before returning to the battle. Diana pulled out her lasso and wrapped it around a soldier, pulling one soldier in close before kicking him away. She lassoed another soldier and swung him into several others. Her attention was then deviated by a tank shooting everything down in its sights. She bolted towards it and after ramming into it, picked it up over her head, to the astonishment of everyone before tossing it aside.
"Bloody hell…" Charlie let out in amazement.
"That's… one way of putting it." Steve responded.
Their conversation was cut short, however, by one of the villagers getting shot down. The group looked towards a church tower, making out the barrel of a gun poking out of it.
"Sniper!" Steve called out, cautioning everyone back.
Diana stood her ground as she used her bracelets to deflect the bullets.
"Charlie, we need a shot up there!" Steve called out.
Charlie took aim at the church tower, but when he had the shot, he didn't take it. Something took hold of him that caused him to freeze up. Sameer quickly pulled him back when he saw he couldn't shoot.
"It's alright, Charlie." He consoled. "It's alright."
"Diana!" Steve called out. "Can you get up there?!"
"I should!" Diana replied. "Though I could use a boost!"
Diana looked around and saw the door to the tank that had fallen off earlier.
"Steve, see that metal door?!" Diana asked.
"Yeah?" Steve replied.
"Move towards it and place it on your backs!" She instructed. "The second I land on it, shove upwards!"
"Got it!" Steve replied.
The four of them quickly and picked the metal door up, using it as cover from the bullet fire.
"Alright, lift on three!" Steve ordered. "One! Two! Three!"
The four of them then lifted the door over their heads, signaling Diana to run towards them. She leapt up onto it, signaling the others to shove upwards, propelling Diana right into the church tower, shattering through the wall and causing the entire top of the church to crumble. Steve and the team dropped the metal door as they and several of the villagers looked up at the church for any sign of her.
"Come on Diana…" Steve let out. "Come on…"
Finally, out of the smoke, Diana emerged, causing jubilation amongst the crowd. She looked down and saw the hope return to the people's faces, causing her to smile.
"So… what exactly is she, Steve?" Sameer asked.
"Truthfully?" Steve replied, his eyes never leaving Diana. "A guardian angel."