Themyscira - Palace - A Few Hours Later.
Hippolyta paced along the bottom steps that led up to her throne. Its circular backrest opened up to the large waterfall and cliff which formed an imposing sight for any who visited her palace. All around her, her loyal guard watched her pace as they awaited orders. While her daughters, Diana and Donna lounged in two of the council chairs that lined the walkway up to the throne. Both of them appeared agitated, but were burying it for sake of decorum and maintaining a calming presence.
"You think it's Mount Vesuvius erupting again?" Donna asked, breaking the silence of the throne room.
"No. We'd be seeing a lot more smoke and there'd be ash falling from the sky." Diana pointed out. Donna nodded in agreement as she settled further back in her chair.
The entire city was in a state of organized panic. A few hours ago, the ground shook under their feet, Hades himself was invading. Their sisters had sought shelter within the walls of the city as the guard rushed to man the surrounding walls. After a few minutes, most had dismissed it as an earthquake or the gods voicing their displeasure about something. But that all changed when one of the guards spotted smoke lazily rising from the eastside of the island. After that, Hippolyta had ordered the city locked down and for her sisters to take up arms.
Now, all she could do was wait and see what could cause such commotion and prepare to counter it. The problem was the waiting though. She's been a general for thousands of years and still the nerves of battle forced her to pace to calm herself.
"Do you think Hades decided to bypass us and go straight for the rest of the world?" Diana asked. Her expression was thoughtful as she stewed.
"No. He'd want to conquer us first. If only to satiate his ego. We'd also have heard from Hermes or Athena by now if that were the case." Hippolyta said as she walked.
"What if it's Ares?" Donna pointed out.
"Ha! With the rest of the world fuelling his need for war, why would he bother starting one here? No. I'm sure he's perfectly happy wherever he is." Hippolyta dismissed.
"So, if it's not Hades or Ares, that leaves man as the cause." Diana deduced as she looked towards her mother.
Hippolyta paused in her pacing. Letting her mind run with the thought. It would explain why they haven't had any communication from the gods and why the smoke wasn't moving towards them. But never before has man breached the storm clouds and high waves which surrounded their island. What could have changed, that man would seek out their island of peace?
"I think we need more information before we assume anything, daughters. We'll wait for Nubia to report with her findings, before we make any sort of decision." Hippolyta answered diplomatically.
The three then settled in to wait for Nubia and her guard to appear with their report. Diana and Donna individually brainstormed, while Hippolyta mentally went through their defences and food supply. It wasn't long after that Nubia strode down the walkway leading up to the throne. Flanked on either side by Orana and Menalippe.
"Your highness." Nubia said as she bowed and saluted with a fist pressed to her heart.
"General. What tidings do you have?" Hippolyta asked, skipping the formalities in favor of getting down to business.
"Your highness, I believe something has fallen from the heavens and impacted on the East side of our island. Orana and Menalippe claim to have seen this object as it passed over their hunting grounds when they were out stalking deer." Nubia answered as she gestured towards the two women behind her. They both straightened from their bows as the attention shifted towards them.
"Orana, Menalippe. What is it you saw?" Hippolyta questioned. The women gave one another a quick glance before Menalippe began her report.
"Your highness, we didn't get a good look at it, but it was large. Covered in fire and trailing smoke as it sailed over our heads."
"It was also shaped like a stingray, your grace." Orana added. "Large and angular."
"Did you see any men or women within the fire or perhaps a god or goddess around it?" Hippolyta asked.
"No, your grace. All we saw was the ball of fire, before it crashed to earth and shook the ground." Menalippe answered for both women.
"Do you think you could lead a group of huntresses to the impact site? We need to learn what we're dealing with." Hippolyta pressed.
"Of course, your grace! We'd be honoured to lead the expedition." Orana answered for the duo.
"Mother! I wish to accompany the hunting party!"
"I as well!" Both Diana and Donna said as they shot to their feet. Excitement evident in their gaze.
"No!" Hippolyta immediately protested. She watched as her daughter's eyes shifted, trying to think of a good reason without sounding childish to the warriors around them. "No. You both will stay here, with me until we can figure out what's going on."
Both women seemed to slightly deflate, but maintained the confident stance befitting their station. Causing a quick surge of pride to flow through Hippolyta. She then turned back to address Nubia and her group.
"Round up the sixth hunting group and take them to the site of the impact. If possible, bring back whatever it is you find." She ordered.
"Your grace." Nubia bowed and saluted again. With Orana and Menalippe copying the gesture behind her. She then straightened and turned on her heel. Striding out of the room with the two Amazons following her. Ready to complete their mission.
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Themyscira - Eastern Forest
Nubia and the hunting party crept forward. Their movements slow and deliberate as if they were hunting prey. Beside her, Orana and Menalippe shadowed her movements as the remaining twelve huntresses spread themselves out among the surrounding forest.
It hadn't taken long to locate the start of the impact. It seemed the object had carved a clear path through the forest and crushed any trees or plants blocking its path. Leaving behind a large trail of carved up, burnt earth. The huntresses had followed this path while sticking to the trees surrounding the path.
Eventually, the trail led them to a small clearing with what had once been a large hill overlooking the cliffs to the Eastern sea. Now though, the hill was completely displaced. As the object had embedded itself within the hill. Leaving only a large, metal rod sticking out from the hill at an angle. Below the rod, two large banks containing five circular mechanisms each flanked what appeared to be some sort of ramp leading up into the object. But all of this paled in comparison to the thing that was making its way around the structure and hill.
It was tall, at least a foot taller than Nubia and it was encased in onyx black armor with dark gray highlights. Meant to break up its form as it travelled from shadow to shadow. On its left leg, there was some sort of rectangular, dark canvas bag attached. Its chest seemed to have four additional pouches laid out, with one in the direct center of its chest, two placed vertically under it and near its left side, with the final pouch placed at an angle on its right side. Above the vertical pouches, a large knife sat sheathed. Its shoulders were also asymmetrical. Its right shoulder extended upwards into a large shield-like pauldron. Its left seemed to be bare, besides four bronze cylinders that laid vertically along its bicep. Its left forearm also appeared to have some sort of attachment, but Nubia couldn't tell what it did. On its lower back plate, another pouch sat, but it was placed over some sort of sheath that contained a strange, curved blade. Finally, its head was completely covered, besides a strip of gold that dipped down around what must have been its eyes. On its forehead, some sort of angular device sat. Nubia was at a complete loss as to what its function may be.
"What in Hades is that?!" Orana whisper shouted as the mysterious figure moved with purpose around the crashed object, occasionally touching it as if inspecting the damage. It was now that Nubia noticed a large black object attached to its back, and a smaller version attached to its right thigh. The one on its back seemed to have some sort of telescope mounted above it. Before it extended out to a long barrel on one end, and a blocky compartment on the other. The object on its thigh seemed to only be a grip with a large box attached above.
"I don't know, but we're taking it back to the palace." Nubia answered with determination. She then motioned to her sisters to spread out around the clearing.
Her sisters moved silently to completely encircle the strange being. Their breath low and slow, as they calmed their nerves and readied their arrows. They were confident that no living being would be able to detect them.
Which is why it was a complete surprise when the figure spun and stared directly at Nubia. Holding her gaze as if it had known she was there the entire time. It then proceeded to pan up and down their line. Meeting each of their gazes. Its message perfectly clear.
It knew they were there.
Nudia leapt up while drawing her bow. Causing the figure to snap to her, as her sisters followed her lead around her.
"Who are you and what is your business on our island?!" She shouted towards the being. Who seemed to be staring into her soul. Its golden visor concealing any emotions or thoughts it may have.
The being then spoke. Its voice deep and tone cold. "Spartan - 096. Current call-sign, Grim."
"Spartan?!" One of Nubia's sisters shouted from their perimeter.
"So, you are a man then?" Nubia asked, her voice as cold as the tundra. The figure nodded their head but otherwise remained completely still. "Men are not allowed to step foot on Themyscira. You shall leave immediately!" She ordered.
The figure just stared at her for a few seconds. It then turned to look at its structure for a few seconds before turning back to her.
"No."
"Then you shall die, Man!" Another of Nubia's sisters spat.
Faster than Nubia's mind could process, the figure moved. Drawing the object from his back, before settling its barrel on Nubia's head. Increasing the tension in the air that surrounded them. He then spoke.
"Any hostilities will be met with deadly force. This is your first warning." His voice was the same stoic calm as it had been the entire time. Making Nubia worry that they had bit off more than they could chew. Because no man would stare down a group huntresses without some change in tone. Nubia shifted and lowered her bow. Her sister's looking on in confusion, before returning to glare at the Spartan.
"What is your purpose on our island?" She questioned.
"Crashed." He answered quickly, without tone.
"Then that is your craft?" Nubia questioned as she pointed towards the structure above him. He sent her another curt nod. "So you are unable to leave." She deduced aloud.
She looked away for a second. Her gaze lingering on her sisters before settling back on the man. Still he had not shifted or moved in any way. Which spoke to having high discipline and awareness of one's self.
"Men are forbidden on Themyscira." Nubia started. "But the gods have yet to voice their disapproval. In light of this, would you follow us back to our kingdom to meet with the queen?" She asked.
"Sister!" Some of her sisters protested. But Nubia only had eyes for the Spartan.
Grim just stood there. Resembling a statue more than a man. His gaze never wavered from Nubia. After a few seconds, he slowly moved. Broadcasting his movements as he slowly placed the object back on his back. Which connected with a dull thump.
"I'll meet with your queen, ma'am." He answered before adding, "But, any further hostile actions will be met with proportional force."
"That sounds fair." Nubia agreed with a nod.
The Spartan then began to stalk forward. His movements smooth and deliberate. Until he was standing in front of Nubia. He then stared down at the dark skinned woman.
"Lead the way."
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Themyscira's Plains - Twenty Minutes Later
"So…. I've been thinking." Phoebe said within the confines of his helmet.
"Hmm." Grim prompted, as he tracked the moment of the three women in front of him. Occasionally, he'd glance down to his motion tracker to keep an eye on the four that tailed behind him. Further behind them, a small convoy of horses were escorted by the rest of the hunting party.
"Come on big man, let's use those words." Phoebe provoked with a light tone. Grim could imagine the wide smile on the AI's face.
"What?" Grim acquiesced with a sigh.
"There we go! We'll make a diplomat out of you yet!" Phoebe taunted before switching back to business, "Anyways, I've been wondering why the name Themyscira sounded familiar to me, and guess what?"
His helmet became silent as Grim just waited for the AI to continue.
Phoebe sighed before she began to speak once more, "It's a name from Greek mythology. Specifically, it's the home of the Amazons, who are a group of ancient warrior women. The story goes that they were formed by Athena to protect the world of man. But were betrayed by man's greed and lust for power. So, to keep them safe, Athena created their own island and forbade any man from stepping on its shores… Do you see the parallels yet?"
Grim processed the information in silence. His gaze remained focused on the terrain ahead and the warriors surrounding him. The parallels were hard to miss, but the implications made the situation even more precarious. An island of ancient warrior women, born from mythology, hidden away from the world. A story meant for children—yet here he was, thrust into their midst.
"So, we're dealing with Amazons from myth?" Grim muttered, more to himself than to Phoebe.
"Seems like it," Phoebe confirmed. "Only in this case, they're real and not relegated to myths and legends."
The two then descended into silence once more. Only the sounds of horses and metal sliding against metal shattering the calm of the air around them. Grim lowered his head slightly as he increased the range of his motion sensor and examined the path they were following.
It seemed that his prowler had crashed in a lesser travelled area. Given there were no natural pathways or flatten grass from the Amazon's travels on horseback. Which was good from a security and isolation standpoint. But it also meant that he was alone on an island with inhabitants stuck in the early bronze stage. Not only that, but they had an active grudge against all men for being born.
He was pulled from his thoughts when he noticed twelve yellow dots moving in formation behind a low hill to their left. He panned his gaze casually to its source. Catching the tail end of a patch of brown hair dipping below the ridge.
"Ma'am?" He called out towards the group's leader. Who only spared him a glance over her shoulder as she carried on. He took that as an invitation to continue, "Do you have any additional patrols in the area?"
Her face seemed to contort into a snarl as she whipped her head forward, "As if I'd tell you such a thing." She sneered.
"I'm counting twelve unknowns moving at speed behind the small ridgeline to our left." Grim informed the woman.
Nubia halted abruptly, raising a clenched fist to signal the party to stop. Her gaze followed Grim's to the ridgeline, then she scanned the area. Finding nothing to indicate they were being tracked or followed. "I don't see anything." She answered as she turned back to the Spartan.
"They've begun to spread themselves out. Three are moving towards the back of our convoy and the others are lining up behind that ridge." Grim said as he pointed towards a gray rock that jutted out of the ground on top of the hill.
"How can you tell?" Orana asked as she pulled her bow from her back and nocked an arrow.
Grim didn't answer. Instead, reached over his shoulder and settled his DMR across his chest. Which seemed to agitate the two closest warriors to him. Both of them jumped back and pulled up their own bows with arrows pointed towards him.
"Drop it!" They ordered.
Grim kept his gaze focused on the ridge. As he forced himself to block out the sounds of the Amazons scrambling around him. He was rewarded with the sound of rapidly approaching hoof beats. Clambering across the ground as the first of the unknowns crested the ridge.
It was the size of a large horse with a rider on its back. Only, it had no rider. Instead, its lower body was shaped like a horse. All the way up until where the head would normally be. In its place was the start of a blue, humanoid body. With its stomach exposed and a large black belt wrapped around where the two halves connected. Above its stomach, it was sporting some sort of bronze metal chest guard with attached shoulder plates. Its forearms were encased in matching bronze vambraces and its hands ended in short claws. Its head was elongated, with large solid black eyes and protruding, sharp teeth. In one hand it clenched a large hammer, while a shield was held in its other.
"Centaurs!" One of the Amazons shouted around him. As the hunting party scrambled for their weapons and readied themselves to mount a counter offensive. The lead Centaur bellowed out a loud warcry. As his troops raced down the hills towards the party.
"Hold your positions!" Nubia commanded, her voice steady despite the chaos.
Only for the sound of thunder to silence the world around them. The amazon's watched as the lead centaur stumbled forward. Only making it another three steps before falling to the ground. Its head missing.
His troops slowed in their charge as they tried to understand what had happened to their leader. Only for another crack of thunder to pierce the air as another of their troop's skull disappeared in a mist of red. After that, the thunder came more rapidly. Each below announcing the death of one of their number. The centaurs scrambled to flee. Some trying to turn around and flee behind the safety of the ridge. While others sprinted along the hill, thinking they could outrun whatever it was that was killing them.
Grim tracked one such runner as she raced along. Only for her to fall forward and rollover herself as his bullet pierced the side of her head. His eyes then flicked back to his motion tracker. Of the original nine that had charged from the front, only two lived long enough to return to cover behind the ridge. But it seemed their three companions that had swept in from the back had yet to receive the message and they were rapidly closing.
Grim threw the DMR over his shoulder and onto his back as he spun to one knee. He then pulled his tactical magnum from his hip and leveled his sights on the closest Centaur. The first armor piercing, high explosive round found a new home in the beast's chest before detonating. His next two pierced the side of a centaur that was trying to turn out of its charge. Grim ended him with a final shot to the side of its helmet.
The final centaur seemed to have realized they were badly outgunned. Sprinting up the hill like the devil himself was chasing him. Grim steadied himself, his eyes narrowing behind his visor as he lined up his shot. He waited and waited, until the centaur had just reached the top of the ridgeline. He then fired. The bullet flying straight into and through the back of the retreating centaur's head. Causing it to tumble forward and out of sight.
Grim waited as he watched his motion sensor and scanned his surroundings. A low breeze rustled the grass as the Amazons all turned to him with mouths agape. He watched as the final two dots sprinted away before he stood once more. Then, with mechanical precision, he ejected his pistol's clip and inserted a fresh one. Before returning it to his thigh with a click. It was then that he noticed the Amazons' stares.
"Clear."