Chapter 8: Unknown Truths

Phantom Lady and Diana packed their things through the night, and the next morning, they checked out of the hotel and boarded the first train they could find to head north to Norway. Sandra and Diana got a private room on the train, thanks to the seemingly infinite resources of the Knight family. Diana walked around the dinner and observation cars before heading back to their room. Sandra was already there, reading a small story in the middle of the newspaper.

"Have you heard? Apparently, your daring rescue made the news," she said. Diana grabbed the newspaper as she sat down and began to read.

"Last night, the citizens of Venice were treated to an unusual sight. At about midnight, a commotion on Regina Street occurred, waking some residents up. It was not clear at the time what the nature of the incident was, but police agents announced this morning that it was merely a routine exercise. However, while the police were directing people back to their homes, some of them had observed what looked like a woman flying over the rooftops". Diana stopped reading. "Do they mean...?"

"Keep reading," said Sandra.

Diana continued, "People said the woman was wearing some sort of red and blue costume. One observer in particular noted she was 'an absolute beauty', and another said that the woman was carrying someone with her". Diana put the paper down. "So..."

"So, unless Miss America came back to life and had coincidentally been in Venice last night, yeah, they were looking at you".

Diana picked up the paper again. "Calls regarding the 'woman wonder' came all through the night. The government of Venice has called this incident a 'mass delusion'. Meanwhile, the German agency in charge of the New Reichsmen program declined to comment".

"You should know, Diana," Sandra said, "that the papers reveal less than half of what they really know".

"Meaning?" asked Diana, as she put down the paper.

"Meaning it is entirely possible they have more information about who you are and what you look like".

Diana looked around suspiciously. "So, what happens now?"

"Now, nothing, I guess. We got on the train, so any information about us hasn't been disseminated to the rank and file. But we need to keep our eyes open just in case we find trouble".

"Well, if there is trouble, I think I can handle it," Diana replied.

"Not if it's one of the New Reichsmen," Sandra interjected. "Each one of them is dangerous, and you know they've already killed several Amazons".

"You don't need to remind me of that, Sandra," Diana said. Sandra could feel the rage emanating from her. It seemed as though Diana was spoiling for a confrontation with them.

"Look, I don't know what they taught you back home, but here, we have an old saying: discretion is the better part of valor". Diana nodded her head: while the verbiage was different, she had heard her teachers tell her the same thing. "We are outmanned and outgunned. We need to lay low as much as possible if we are to continue our fight. First, let's make it to Norway. Once we get the weapon, then maybe we can start thinking about fighting them".

Diana sighed and slouched back. "And another thing!" Sandra said. "When we're doing our missions, don't say my name. You called me Sandra when you were fighting the goons last night. I try to keep my identity secret from them. In the field, please refer to me as 'Phantom Lady'".

"Well, what about me?" Diana asked.

"You?" Sandra said.

"You called me 'Diana' out there too. In fact, you said it in front of Matteo. Why should you get to call me by my name?"

"Well, you're right. I shouldn't," admitted Sandra. "But what should I be calling you?"

"Er... I don't know," Diana said.

"Hm... I could call you 'Phantom Gal', seeing as how you're like my protégé". Diana rolled her eyes. Sandra giggled. "Yeah, that wouldn't fit. How about... 'Amazonia'?"

Diana shrugged her shoulders. "It's appropriate, but it doesn't feel right. Plus, let's try to keep my people out of the public light".

"Right," Sandra replied.

Diana looked at the paper again, and she got an idea. "How about... 'The Woman Wonder'?"

"Uhhhhhh... it's a little wordy".

"Or... 'Wonder Woman'?"

"'Wonder Woman'," Sandra said. "Oh, that's much catchier". Diana smiled. "Alright, Diana, from now on, when you save innocents and punish criminals, you will be known as Wonder Woman!" Sandra reached out her hand. "Congratulations, you're now a superheroine".

Diana took her hand and shook it. "My thanks, Sandr- oops, I mean, my thanks, Phantom Lady".

Sandra laughed. "Now you're getting it". Soon, the laughter died down.

"So, Diana," Sandra began. "Should we talk about Brünnhilde?"

Diana squirmed. "What's there to talk about?"

"Well, it seems you have history with her," Sandra replied.

"I don't think now's an appropriate time to discuss that," Diana said.

"Oh really? You think there's a better time?" Diana looked away from Sandra. "Please, just tell me anything," Sandra said.

Diana sighed. "What do you want to know?"

"Well, did you know her?"

"Yes, I knew her," said Diana.

"Were you friends?"

"I wasn't close with her, but every woman on Themyscira is someone I treat like family. That included her".

"What was she like?"

Diana considered her words carefully. "She was... spirited," she said. "Competitive. Aggressive even. She was not popular with many people there, unfortunately. Often, some of women there would make fun of her demeanor and ugliness".

Sandra stopped her. "Wait, ugliness?" Sandra thought back to the pictures she saw of Brünnhilde and her striking visage. "Did she get a make-over when she joined the Nazis?"

"Oh no, she looked just like that back on the island," Diana replied.

Sandra was shocked. Boy, they must have some pretty high standards over there, she thought. Then she remembered her brief time on Themyscira, and all the women she encountered there. Though, if everyone looks stunning, it wouldn't take much to be at the bottom of the pecking order.

"Anyway, continue," Sandra said.

"Like I said, Dalma never fully fit in. She was always trying to compete with everyone else in everything. Was she competitive because others tried to put her down? Or did they do that because she was so competitive? Physically speaking, she could match anyone. But she was also inelegant, and prone to make mistakes. One may even call her clumsy at worst. She was always interested in power: how to gain it, how to use it, et cetera. She became a soldier in the Royal Guard and competed in the tournament that determined who should be sent to Europe. She and I made it to the finals. I beat her, but just barely. Of course, it didn't matter, as I was never allowed to go".

"Did you think she was capable of betraying everyone?" Sandra asked.

Diana snapped back. "No, absolutely not. The Royal Guard is the most exclusive and dedicated group of fighters we have. Despite whatever issues she may have had with others, she wouldn't have done it".

"Well, that's clearly wrong," Sandra replied. "You've seen the evidence yourself".

"True, but there's a pretty good explanation in my opinion". Sandra leaned forward to listen to her friend. "One night, the Nazis were somehow able to kidnap Dalma and brainwash her. They used the ring to turn her against her sisters and into that monster".

"You... really think that?" Sandra replied.

"It's pretty obvious to me," Diana said, her voice slightly wavering.

"But I thought it was only a power ring. Do you know if it can control people's mind?"

"No... but like I said, this is the most logical explanation," Diana said quickly.

"Well, I think there's a more logical conclusion," Sandra replied. "From what you said, it sounded like Dalma was pretty troubled. Maybe, she was more upset with the rest of the Amazons than she let on. Maybe, she found the Nazis or the New Reichsmen attractive. Maybe, she did all of this because she wanted to".

"No," Diana snapped back. "That would never happen. An Amazon would never betray her own if she wasn't forced to". She quietly added, "She wouldn't..."

"Diana, when the Nazis came to America, hundreds of men and women rose up to fight them. But there were just as many people willing to collaborate with them. Some were only doing it because they were scared, but many were happy with the Nazis. They loved their displays of might and they agreed with their policies. I've seen people I consider my friends betray me and my family. Many of the people who became Nazis acted polite in their normal lives, but they harbored dark intentions. They were willing to destroy their own country for a chance to feel powerful, to hurt everyone they ever felt angry about. This has happened in countries all around the world, and it wouldn't surprise me to learn that this was true with Dalma".

Diana straightened up, trying to hide the fact that she was clearly affected by what Sandra had just said. "Well, I feel sorry for your country and what has happened to it. But Themyscira is not like that. No one there is like that..."

"Yeah, I hope so..." Sandra replied, trying to end the conversation. The pair remained silent for a long time after.

Colonel Dotsch sat in the back seat of a car driving in the south of France. Sitting next to him was the imposing figure of Brünnhilde. Dotsch was not a large man by any means, and sitting next to the Amazonian warrior only accentuated his short stature. The fear that she – or any of the super-soldiers he dealt with – could physically overpower him and overtake not just his authority, but that of the entire German empire, was always simmering. They had their checks on them, for sure, some physical, some psychological. But it took every ounce of mental will he had for the colonel to appear cool and confident while speaking to the New Reichsmen.

The pair were in Berlin when news of Phantom Lady's capture and escape came in. Phantom Lady's escapade was nothing new for the colonel, but it was the news of her rescuer that drew the most attention. Dotsch was asking Brünnhilde about the mystery woman possibly being another Amazon when they received a report. Matteo Di Largo, who had disappeared after Phantom Lady's escape, was captured in the south of France, attempting to get into Spain. Immediately, the colonel and the Amazon headed straight to where Matteo was captured.

The car pulled outside the compound and the pair got out. Dotsch and Brünnhilde walked through the dim hallways before entering a small room. Matteo was seated a table, his face bruised from previous interrogation sessions.

"Mr. Di Largo," the colonel said, "the last time we spoke, you boasted about your usefulness to us. Well, it seems that was greatly exaggerated".

"I wouldn't exactly say that," Matteo replied. "I told you I could deliver Phantom Lady, and I did. It's not my fault you couldn't keep her contained".

"Is that so? Then why was your first move after she escape was to flee?"

"Because I knew once they escaped, you'd point the finger at me, instead of your own incompetence. You really shouldn't be surprised at what happened, you know. She consistently slips through your fingers".

Dotsch scowled. "That may be, but she did have help this time".

"Yes, the other woman," Matteo said. "I'm afraid I won't be of much help regarding that".

"Oh, we think you may," the colonel replied. "Now, tell us everything about her, and I promise you will not be harmed".

I doubt that, Matteo thought. "Well, the first time I saw her was with Phantom Lady in the afternoon. I told her what I knew about Miss Brünnhilde over here – which wasn't a lot, and I figured it wasn't going to matter, seeing how she was supposed to die that night. Anyway, the other woman was listening as well, and she got quite upset over some of the things I was saying".

"Like what?" Dotsch asked.

Matteo sighed. "You know, this compound here is not very conducive to my memory. Maybe we can go someplace else. Someplace where I feel safer, more relaxed".

"We won't be doing that," the colonel replied.

"Hey now. I'm a broker. I do not just give information out for free. I need to have some compensation for my trouble".

Brünnhilde stepped forward. "Your compensation," said the colonel, "is that you are not executed as a traitor".

"I see," Matteo said. He knew what kind of situation he was in. "Colonel, if you intend on killing me after our conversations, I would prefer you get it over with now, instead of leaving me in limbo here".

"Well, it will depend on what we learn. But, if you cooperate, and we find your information to be valuable, then we promise to let you live".

"How can I be sure?" Matteo asked.

Dotsch looked over to Brünnhilde. With a nod, she undid the loop on her waist and handed over a lasso. "Do you know what this is?" the colonel said. "It sounds funny, but it is a lasso that forces all who touch it to tell the truth. I could use it on you, you know. But since I am holding it, I can tell you truthfully that you have a chance of walking out of here alive".

The colonel expected Matteo to scoff, or perhaps just play along. Instead, Colonel Dotsch was surprised by what Matteo said. "You know, this isn't the first time I've seen that".

"Eh?" the colonel replied.

"Yes, the mystery woman had one too. Said it did the same thing".

Dotsch and Brünnhilde both were interested. Brünnhilde seemed particularly agitated. "So, this woman is an Amazon, no?" asked the colonel.

"You tell me," Matteo replied. "I never heard her say so, but between that rope and the fact she got quite upset at me talking about the other Amazons, that would seem to be the answer, no?"

Brünnhilde approached Matteo. "Who was this Amazon?" she asked.

"Huh?" Matteo said. "Colonel, I thought you were asking the questions?"

"Forgive my friend if she seems impolite," the colonel replied, "but she can be quite sensitive when it comes to her old home. But please, answer the lady's question".

"Well, Phantom Lady said her name was Diana. I don't know if-" But before he could finish answering, Brünnhilde lifted him high into the air. She had a crazed look on her face.

"Diana!?" she yelled. "It was Diana?!"

"Hey, what's going on?" Matteo yelled. "Colonel, tell her to calm down!"

"Yes, please, Brünnhilde. He's been compliant so far. There is no need for-" At this point, Brünnhilde through him across the room against the concrete wall.

"Jesus!" he exclaimed. "Colonel! Please, I'll do anything you say. Just get her out of here!"

The colonel stood up. He could tell that the ring was having its effect on Brünnhilde. "Brünnhilde, stop," he said firmly. Brünnhilde turned to him, still seething. "We want him to help us. Just stand aside".

"But I need –"

"I know," the colonel interrupted her. "But I am ordering you to do this".

Brünnhilde grimaced, but obliged. She began walking to the door as the colonel helped Matteo to his feet. "Diana attacked me too after I brought her up. It seems like the Amazons are all alike. Or maybe there's some other personal issue between them?" Matteo said.

In a flash, Brünnhilde ran across the room, grabbed Matteo, and punched him in the head. Brünnhilde grabbed him by the neck, crushing his windpipe. She looked at the concussed man square in the eye. "I am not like her! I am better than her! I am better than all of them!" she yelled.

"Brünnhilde!" the colonel screamed. "Stop!"

Brünnhilde threw him up into the ceiling. He hit it hard and fell back onto the ground. This time, Matteo did not get up. The colonel ran to him. His eyes were half open and staring off into nothingness. Blood was trickling out of his nose and mouth. His breath was like a deflating balloon. "Doctor!" he yelled to no one in particular. Two men ran in, but it was too late. The damage to Matteo's head was too great, and he died in the colonel's arms.

The colonel dropped the dead man and walked up to Brünnhilde. "You stupid bitch!" he yelled. Brünnhilde flinched, wanting to react, but knowing it wouldn't a good idea. "We needed him to find Phantom Lady! How could you do that?"

"I..." Brünnhilde began, still coming down from the adrenaline given to her by the ring. "He said-"

"I heard what he said, and I don't care!" Dotsch replied. "Why do you care? How does it matter about what he thinks?"

"I... need to be the strongest. I need to be the best," the Amazon replied.

"Listen," said the colonel. "The only reason you are the most powerful is because I gave you that power. And I can take that power away if I so choose. So, either you do as I say and get on the same page as me, or I will throw you to the wolves".

Brünnhilde remained agitated, but calmed down. "Alright," she replied.

"What did you say?" the colonel said.

Brünnhilde took a deep breath. "Yes, sir," she said.

The colonel looked that Brünnhilde in the eye. "Good. Remember: this is where you need to be. The Amazons wouldn't accept you, and they won't forgive you now. The resistance will fail you. Only I can give you what you need". Brünnhilde nodded, with tears welling up in her eyes. "Come, from now on, we will only search for Phantom Lady and that blasted Amazon".