Stella and the Minx #38:

Patriot Games

Stellar Man and Night Fox were the greatest heroes of the 60s but in the 70s their female counterparts Stella and Minx took over!

After being believed dead for almost a year the Minx is back!

But how has she returned?

And is it too late for Stella?

The answers to these and other questions will have to wait a little longer as we check in with another of our heroines and see what happens when people start playing games…

Marcus Lycus

(Marcus_Lycus@hotmail.com)

June 2010

Legal Horrors – Stella, the Minx and other characters are copyright and trademark Marcus Lycus. All rights reserved.

If you want to use any characters in another story you need my permission. It also means that you can’t repost this story without my permission.

And since this story is meant for people over the age of 18, please don’t read it if you are younger than that.

Any resemblance between characters in this story and any actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental of course.

And finally, please e-mail me with any comments, complaints or suggestions. Remember feedback leads to more stories!

Issue 38 – Patriot Games

If you're looking for Minerva Isle on a map don't bother. You won't find it. And don't trouble your local public library for information either. They've never heard of it. Maybe if you squint at some dusty charts in an attic on Cape Cod you might see it marked. But you'll forget it as soon as you blink.

When Athena – the Greek goddess of wisdom – decides to hide something, it stays hidden.

Unless of course she wants you to find it.

Hundreds of women assemble before the Temple of Athena. Some are but small girls, others are maidens entering the full bloom of womanhood, a few are older, the guardians and priestesses of the island. One young girl stands alone before the high priestess. She waves her staff and all fall silent and kneel as she begins to speak.

"Today my sisters we bid farewell to one of our own. For almost nine years you have lived among us and learned out ways. But now we shall return you to America, may you remember our lessons and help our country onto the right path! You will lose your memory of the time here and step into a new life but your wisdom and knowledge will always steer you well. Many have gone before you, their names are legends, Martha, Betsy, Mary Todd, Edith, Eleanor, Rosa, Jackie… Can we trust you to continue the work of our great sisterhood?"

"You betcha!"

"Then drink deeply of the waters of the River Styx, when you awaken you will have new memories, a new life and shall begin you mission. Go forth young Sarah and may Athena guide your way!"

With that the young girl raises a wineskin to her lips, after only a few drops she falls to the ground and is gently picked up by the Priestess and carried away for transport back to America. The High Priestess turns and enters the temple. A younger priestess

"High Priestess Sophia, are you sure she is ready?"

"Who? Young Sarah? Though she is not the smartest acolyte we have ever trained she certainly has ambition and a certain naïve charisma. I am sure she will go far."

"But she seems so… incoherent sometimes. Surely you recall the time she tried to read all of the newspapers in the great library. She could barely form a complete sentence after that."

They both chuckled at the memory.

"Well perhaps Sarah is not quite our best and brightest but I'm sure she will try her best. Who knows, perhaps some good will come of it. But somehow Priestess Rhea I sense that is not why you wish to speak with me."

"No High Priestess, there is another concern. One who we do consider our best and brightest. I speak of Princess Patriot."

"You mean the current Princess Patriot, young Katherine Libertine. Forget not that I too once held that august title."

"Yes High Priestess, I mean the current one. I fear she has violated her holy oaths."

"If she had, the Goddess would have stripped her of her title. Surely you do not claim to know more than the Goddess of Wisdom herself?"

"No High Priestess, never High Priestess. But nonetheless there are some alarming reports about her and one of Hectate's witches, to say nothing of her relationship with this man Timmy O'Leary."

"If the Goddess sees no problem why then should we?"

"High Priestess the Goddess has many things that concern her, surely we should be vigilant in watching our chosen champion. Perhaps we have given her too long of a leash. Perhaps she needs the gentle guidance and assistance of one of her sisters. The world outside can be challenging and confusing as I'm sure you remember. And I fear it has only gotten worse since you left."

"Hmm, there may be some wisdom in this. After all we have already had to reprimand her once. It would not do if she strayed from the path while we did nothing. What exactly do you propose?"

***

CLACK-CLACK-CLACK

The sound of high heels on stone steps and for Fernando Alfredo and Helena Adams the most welcome sound in the world.

Without light there was no way for them to know how long they'd been chained to the walls of the Fox Den. Only ever-increasing hunger, thirst and anger marked time since the Minx left them to rescue Warren Herbert. There was no way to know if she'd even survived.

Until now.

A light came on and a figure appeared.

"Fernando, Helena, I hope you're enjoying my hospitality as much as I enjoyed yours last year."

"Mistress Gloria" Fernando croaked. "Master Warren is he…?"

"Mistress Gloria is it? Master Warren? There's no need to be so formal Fernando. I think once you've left someone to die you can drop the formalities."

Fernando lowered his eyes.

"Warren is fine, no thanks to you. He's recovering upstairs in his old room. Do you know what she did?"

"I…"

"She trapped him in a pit below the kitchen. No light. The only food was the kitchen scraps he could get before the rats. That's what she did with him."

"Oh." Fernando lowered his head in shame. "I'm sorry."

The Minx smiled. "No, no you're not. But you soon will be."

***

Though hidden, Minerva Island is not entirely isolated. How could the Sisterhood of Minerva protect America if they did not understand it? Each month a single boat arrives from the ports of New England laden with books, newspapers, films and other information from the outside world. The men who are crew these boats are loyal and trusted, they have sworn oaths never to betray the secret of Minerva Isle.

But as with all men, their loyalty has limits…

The sailors waved as their fishing boat pulled out of the harbor. Their cargo was dropped off, their payment of gold coins was secure, there was just one more thing to take care of. They sailed a few miles out, turned west, and sailed back towards the other side of the island. Hidden by rocks, they entered a sheltered cove.

The girls were waiting. All five of them. One stepped out into the surf. She was wearing nothing but a brief white toga that quickly became translucent in the cold water.

"Hey uh, you got our stuff?"

"Maybe we do, maybe we don't. You got our stuff little girl?" The captain leered at the girls.

"What do you think?" The teen smiled up at him and cupped her healthy breasts. "Not so little I think!"

The captain smiled, "Nope, not so little at all." He leaned down and gave her a hand getting into the boat. "Now what do they call you?"

"Drusilla."

"Drusilla? Pretty name for a pretty girl."

The other novices were wading into the water, climbing into the boat. The captain fondled Drusilla's breasts, the teen girl moaned in response and pulled up her thin toga. She wasn't wearing anything under it. The captain unbuckled his pants and pulled her up, sitting on the railing. Drusilla felt the rough wood under her ass. Then he thrust in!

She gasped and bit her lip to keep from crying out in pain. It was only her fourth time and it still hurt, especially since these sailors didn't understand the idea of foreplay. The other novices had it just as rough, Rebecca was screaming in pain but the sailor on her paid it no heed.

The middle-aged men didn't last that long and soon they were pulled out of the harbor while the girls waved in feigned enthusiasm. Once they were out of sight…

"What have we got?"

They opened the crates, they were filled with cigarettes, bottles of booze, copies of Cosmo and a small bag of weed.

"See girls! I told you this was worth it!"

Drusilla opened a bottle and took a swig. She lit a cigarette and sighed contently. The only bad side was that she knew she'd have to ration them, it would be another month before she got a new supply. "Sure must be nice to get these anytime you want."

She sighed heavily. "Damn Katherine…" She muttered.

"Wow Dru are you still hung up on that Princess Patriot thing?"

"I tell you I could have won that if Katherine Libertine hadn't copied off of me during the essay contest. Now she gets to live in Megapolis where there's cigarettes and pizza and beer and boys and men… And we get to stay there for the rest of our lives."

"There's always next time."

"Pfft! The last time was in 1941, at this rate there won't be another Princess Patriot until the year 2001, I don't think I feel like waiting that long."

"Maybe Katherine won't make it. There's a rumor she got a reprimand."

"See, that's why I know she will make it. If any of us messed up as Princess Patriot we'd be dragged back here to clean cesspools for the rest of our lives. But precious little Katherine Libertine just gets a slap on the wrists while we stay here and rot."

"Come on, it's not that bad. Maybe we'll get sent out as mentors."

"You mean have our memories erased like Sarah? Get sent out in the hopes we someday marry a powerful man and get to pull his strings? No thanks." She took another shot of whiskey. "Even if I wanted that I'm too old now. No the best I can ever hope for is to become another damn Guardian and train the next generation of girls so they can have the life I get to dream about."

"Um Dru…"

"Spend the rest of my life training so I can stand around on guard duty all day."

"Dru…"

"Nope, not me, I got better things to do with my life."

"Dru!"

Drusilla noticed how everyone was staring at something behind her. Finally she turned around.

Priestess Rhea and some Guardians had appeared out of nowhere surrounding the errant novices. There was no escape.

***

"So that's how you escaped. Wow." Warren Herbert whispered in amazement.

"Yup." The Minx answered with a smug smile.

"So that body we found was really…"

"Exactly."

"Amazing."

"Is it? I mean compared to some of the adventures you and Night Fox had, it's almost mundane."

"Gloria nothing about you is mundane. Why if I was ten years younger…"

"You still wouldn't be interested. But I appreciate the thought." The Minx climbed out of her chair and stretched. She'd been sitting for hours filling in Warren on what had happened. "Now how are you feeling?"

"Well I'm not up for walking around on a bright sunny day but I think I can handle a dark cave if that's what you mean."

"Well then let's take a walk. I think we've let our guests stew long enough."

Warren climbed slowly out of bed and put on a trench coat. The Minx helped him downstairs into the Fox Den.

"Well gentleman and lady, I suppose it's time you find out what I have planned for you.

***

Drusilla watched her four friends dragged weeping to the Dungeons of Discipline. Her stomach churned she'd heard rumors about the 'corrective treatments' errant novices received there. Even worse she wondered why Priestess Rhea had not sent her with them. Did she have something even worse in mind?

"Follow."

Drusilla trailed behind the priestess into a neglected wing of the temple. Finally they entered an old storeroom filled with yellowing copies of Life Magazine and the Saturday Evening Post. No one was around.

SLAP!

"Sex for cigarettes?"

SMACK!

"Sex for booze!"

KICK!

"You were one of our brightest novices and that's the best you can do?"

Drusilla doubled over from pain gasping for breath. The Priestess walked behind her and delivered another kick to the back of her knees. Drusilla fell to the floor.

"You were almost Princess Patriot! And this is how you thank us?"

Drusilla gasped a few times and muttered something insensible which may have been 'I'm sorry'.

"Did you think we wouldn't know? Did you think you were the first one to ever think of this?"

"Please…"

"I had you pegged for a priestess, maybe even high priestess someday. But maybe you're more fit for the copper mines or the marble quarry after all. You're obviously not longer fit to even be a guardian."

WHACK!

Rhea produced a switch and delivered a savage blow across Drucilla's exposed butt cheeks.

"My friends… it's not their fault, it was all my idea."

"What's this, the ringleader is worried about her pawns? What a shame you didn't think of their well-being before you led them to ruin. No they'll have their wicked ways driven out of them in the Dungeons of Discipline. Then maybe once they are purified they'll be allowed to clean the stables or dig latrines."

Realization began to dawn on Drusilla. Yes Priestess Rhea has reprimanded her, yes she had beaten her but there were things she had not done. She hadn't taken Dru to the dungeons. She hadn't even threatened Dru with them. Which meant one of two things. Either Priestess Rhea has something worse in mind for the errant girl or…

"You knew!"

"What?" Rhea's eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"You said you knew! You could have stopped us before! This was Rebecca's first time, you could have stopped us before she lost her maidenhead! You wanted this to happen!"

Dru got to her feet. Why not? What was Rhea going to do, send her to the dungeons?

"Don't you dare get up-" She raised the switch but Dru's hand was quicker, she seized the Priestess' wrist and twisted until the older woman dropped the switch.

"You set this up! You let it happen. And I want to know why!"

Rhea's face fell. Her anger drained away.

"It's about Princess Patriot…"

***

"Gloria, you can't be serious."

"Can't I?"

"But…"

"That's the deal Helena." She gestured to a table laid out with a crossbow, smoke bombs and other equipment. "You can be Night Huntress again. But this time you work for me. And this time you don't kill. If you're up for it say yes now. If not, I'll drug you and dump on the steps of Police Headquarters with enough evidence to lock you away forever."

"So your threats, saying you would r-rape me and…"

The Minx smiled. "Maybe I still will. Maybe this all a setup to raise your hopes."

"That's not funny."

"It's not meant to be."

"Fernando?"

"Oh I have plans for him."

Helena put a hand on the Minx's cheek. "Gloria, I meant what I said on the plane, I really do lov-"

"If you finish that sentence you're going right to Police Headquarters." The Minx pulled her head away.

Helena lowered her head, long raven hair covered her face. Covered her tears.

"I accept. I'll be your Night Huntress."

"Good. Now take a damn shower. You stink."

***

"My sisters! Not long ago we assembled to honor the greatest among us, the one chosen by the goddess, the one now known as Princess Patriot! Today we assemble again to greet another, one who has faithfully served the goddess, one whose wisdom, strength, beauty and virtue are without question! One who will join Princess Patriot in her quest to defend truth, justice and the America way! Join me and welcome…"

MAIDEN AMERICA!

Drusilla blushed red as she stepped out onto the balcony. Had it really only been a day ago when she was threatened with the Dungeons of Discipline? And now she was dressed in ceremonial armor, wearing winged sandals and carrying a magic sword! This was great!

Except for the name! She half-suspected it was Priestess Rhea's joke at her expense. But she could live with it.

The agreement was clear. Drusilla would join Katherine in America as her new sidekick. She would report back to Priestess Rhea of any evidence Katherine was straying from the proper path. In return Dru and her friends would stay out of the dungeons. And if she did find proof, then once Katherine was removed, Dru would be free to stay in the Man's World.

It was more than Dru imagined she'd ever get! Not just a change to be a superheroine, not just a chance to live in America, but all she had to do was expose Katherine Libertine as a fraud! It was a dream come true for the young novice. She couldn't wait to get started.

***

"Mistress Gloria, you can't be serious!"

"I can be, and I am. Do you accept my offer?"

"But… but… I never…"

"Fernando this is the deal I'm offering. You want to redeem yourself don't you? If you don't like it, well your cell in the Fox Den is still available."

Fernando Alfredo looked down in defeat. He stared at the three files and the polaroids on the table in front of him. "V-Very well. I accept."

"Great! You can start right away!" The Minx pointed at the polaroids. They were three very beautiful women. "Besides it won't be all bad."

***

Stella sat silently in the car next to the pop artist Drake Warlock. Just a day ago she hated the man, he'd drugged her, brainwashed her and made her some kind of anarchist rebel. But then he'd shown up in her apartment with a vial of Claudius Crowe's mysterious serum, the only thing that could bring back her powers. She'd figured the secret was lost when Crowe died but Drake swore he could recreate it.

Stella would do anything to get her powers back. Anything.

So here she was sitting in the backseat of a limo dressed in the bikini costume Crowe gave her and wearing one of the Minx's old coats. She hated the bikini costume, she knew Crowe only put her in it to humiliate her, but it was the only one she had left. Traces of Drake's cum were still between her legs. She'd fucked him back at the penthouse. She'd fuck anyone who could get her powers back.

In a coat pocket she had a vial of the serum. One of her last two. Warlock said he needed it to reproduce the serum. She hoped he was telling the truth.

The limo got stuck in traffic.

Bored Warlock leaned over and nibbled on her ear, he reached for the string holding her bikini bottom closed. Stella let him undo it and unzipped his fly. She climbed on top of him. Like she said, she'd do anything to get her powers back. Anything.

***

"Hurry Timmy, you have to hurry!" Katherine grabbed a tube of KY Jelly and threw it in the dustbin. She checked the night table for any more condoms.

"Kathy what's the big deal? One of your sisters is coming by, so what?"

Katherine looked at Timmy O'Leary in disbelief. "Don't you understand! Can't you read!" She waved the scroll that arrived by enchanted dove that morning.

"Um sweetie it's in Greek. Ancient Greek."

"And you have to stop calling me sweetie! As far as anyone is concerned we're just business associates!"

He put his hands around her waist "Can't we be 'close associates' with benefits?"

"No! No, no, no! Don't you understand Princess Patriot must be pure, she must be virtuous! She can't be… She can't be doing the things we do." Katherine shoved a pile of magazines into the trash.

"But swee- I mean um, Ms. Libertine we never went all the way. We were so careful."

"It doesn’t matter! Being Princess Patriot isn't about skirting the rules, it's about being so good, so virtuous that no one would even question you… me… Princess Patriot. And now someone is!"

"Hey Kathy-"

"No! No heys, no buts, no excuses, I have to convince this visitor that there is no reason to question my integrity!"

"But Kathy-"

"Timmy you know it's not about you, you know I… I care for you. It's about being Princess Patriot, because if I can't be Princess Patriot then I have to go back to Minerva Isle and I'll never see you again and I just can't bear that!" She threw her arms around the middle-aged reporter and shed a few tears into his shirt.

"Um, Kathy that's great and stuff but isn't that your visitor?" Timmy pointed out the window. A girl in a blue cape could be seen hovering over the city coming closer and closer.

"Sweet liberty! She's here! There's no time!"

"I guess I'd better-"

"No! She might see you. Quick! Hide in the closet!"

"But Kathy the trashcan is full of all our-"

"I'll take care of it! Hide! Now!"

Princess Patriot turned to the trash can, shrugged and pointed the Staff of Zeus at it.

The flying girl made a few turns as if she wasn't quite used to the Megapolis streets or to flying. Perhaps both. Then she noticed a flash of light and a crackle of lighting from across the way. Soon enough she knocked on the window of Katherine Libertine's one bedroom apartment.

"Enter and be welcome!" said…

PRINCESS PATRIOT!

"Drucilla? They sent you? And what is that costume you're wearing?"

"Yes Katherine, they sent me. Surprised?"

"A little, I mean I thought they would have sent the High Priestess, or at least Priestess Rhea to check up on me, not a novice."

"Oh Kathy I'm not here to check up on you."

"You're not?"

"Oh goddess no, where did you get that idea?"

"I just assumed after my reprimand that-"

"Don't worry! It was all a misunderstanding. I'm not here to check on you, I'm here to help you. I'm your new partner, Maiden America!"

For once Princess Patriot was speechless.

"Um Kathy, why is your garbage can on fire?"

***

The Minx stood on the steps of stately Adams Manor watching Fernando's Roles Royce and Helena's motorbike disappear out the gates. This was it! The start of a new and improved crime-fighting network. Or a complete disaster. In a few days she would know which.

"You're sure about this?" Warren asked.

"I'm sure about something. One thing I learned while I was Zola's little toy was that I can't keep doing this alone. I need people around me. Good people."

"But Fernando and Helena? If it wasn't for him Zola would never have learned Wes' secrets, and if it wasn't for her…"

"If it wasn't for her Zola would never have gotten her hands on me. I could hold that against her, I could have open the bay doors and dumped over the Pacific on the flight home. Don't think I didn't consider it. But what would that make me? Besides she's good. Scarily good. Maybe better than me once she gets her head straightened out. How could I waste an asset like that?"

"Assets. Interesting word. Is that all they are to you? Is that all I am?"

The Minx stood silently for a while. "Warren how can you even ask that!"

"I'm sorry Gloria it's just that since you came back you've been… different."

"Well I think I have a good reason!"

"I know they mistreated you-"

"Tortured. The word is tortured. Tortured and raped and brainwashed! You can't imagine what it was like! To just survive I had to become a different person."

Warren put his arms around Gloria. Her cool façade was gone, she was shaking like a leaf in a storm. She sobbed a few times, he could feel her hot tears soaking through his shirt.

"Some of their programming is still inside me, Zola almost got to me with it."

"I'm sorry Gloria."

She unbuttoned her coat and peeled it down. She was only wearing a black lacy bra under it. Then the Minx took Warren's hand by the wrist.

"You know what they did to me, they turned me into their sex toy. Passed me around a reward to their gang."

"No I… I didn't know."

She put his hand on her breast.

"It's been so long Warren. So long since a man held me. A man who really cared for me."

"Gloria I-"

Warren Herbert swallowed hard.

"It's just you and me now, alone. Here. A boy and a girl."

"Gloria, I should, I'm not sure I'm…"

She kissed him. He tried to pull away, she held him tight and kissed him again.

He twisted his hand free and jumped to his feet. He back away. "I'm sorry Gloria, it's just, my injuries are acting up and I…"

He ran up the stairs. The Minx made no move to follow him. She just sat on the couch gently weeping. Without thinking about it one hand found her breasts and started to rub them. Another slipped between her legs. She moaned in frustration.

"F-Foxy wants to f-fuck!" She cried between sobs.

***

"So that's the story."

"So you're my what? Protégé? Sidekick? Partner? I never even heard of a Maiden America before, none of the other Princess Patriots had one!"

"Well maybe it's time for a change. After all America has gotten bigger, the problems have gotten worse, the threats more powerful. Maybe we need two heroines now."

"But, but…"

"Oh don't worry Kathy, it will be fine. I'm sure in a few days you'll be happy to have me around helping you out. I can make sure you don't have any repeats of that Drake Warlock incident."

"That's what this is about isn't it? That reprimand! Well I'll remind you I wasn't the only heroine caught up in that. Stella and Liberator Woman were both part of it."

"Yes, true, but neither of them were chosen by the goddess of wisdom to protect America. You were."

"…"

"And then there was that incident with the Hectate worshiper."

"How did you f- I mean um, what are you talking about?"

"Oh you and a so-called Moon Witch, doing the most unnatural things in a lake. It's quite the story in certain circles."

"I don't… I mean I was trying to help Stella. She lost her powers."

"Interesting plan."

"No! It, it wasn't like that. She tricked me. I mean… she almost tricked me. Nothing happened. No matter what she says."

"Uh-huh. Right. Well now that I'm here we can be sure nothing will happen to the Vanguard of Virtue."

DING-DONG

Princess Patriot looked up. "I wasn't expecting anyone-"

"Oh it's probably the movers with my stuff."

"Movers?"

"Of course, I'll be living here. We'll put my bed right next to yours."

"But… but…"

"It'll be just like back on Minerva Island!"

"But…"

"You'd better switch back unless you want to explain why Princess Patriot is answering Katherine Libertine's door."

Defeated, Princess Patriot just nodded mutely.

Through the closet door Timmy O'Leary saw two flashes of light as they changed back. He crossed his legs. Movers! How long would they take! He had to go to the bathroom!

***

"Stars and comets…" Stella whispered.

"Impressive huh?"

"I thought… I mean I figured… I didn't know…"

"Yep, Dr. Corvidae just left all of this behind when he disappeared. It was pretty easy to bring it back to the Warehouse and set it up. Took us a little while to figure out it all worked but my boys are pretty good with chemicals."

"Wow… Drake, do you mean you can do it? You can make the serum? You can give me my powers back?"

"Whoa there Miss Stella. Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves here. First off we need a sample of the serum to copy it."

Stella hesitated but under Warlock's gaze she finally reached into her coat and took out the precious vial. She only had two, and now she had just one. He took it, looked at in the light, shook it and finally handed it to one of the men milling around.

"So that's a start. But that's not everything you know. I mean the ingredients cost money."

"I can… I can get you money. I just need my powers. I can get you all the money in the world."

"That's a good girl."

***

Finally…

"OK just put that box over there and I'm moved in!"

The movers grunted and shoved the last box in the corner.

"Wow, great job guys, hey Katherine would you mind tipping them, I don't have any cash."

Katherine Libertine sighed and reached for her purse. She'd started the day thinking the worst that would happy we she would lose her position as Princess Patriot. How could she have known the high priestess had come up with an even worse fate? How long would she have to put up with this 'Maiden America'? How long before she found something and cost Katherine her title? How long? As soon as she looked in the closet…

"So um, now that you're moved in why don't we go out for something to eat?"

"I don't know I hate seeing all this mess, I should start unpacking shouldn't I?" Drusilla stepped towards the closet, Katherine hurried to intercept her, practically pulling her hand off the closet door. "No, no, no you must be tired after flying all the way here. Come on, let's go out, I insist!"

"But…"

"I know a place that has the best milkshakes in Megapolis."

"Milkshakes?"

"Rich, thick, strawberry milkshakes. You've never had one had you?"

"Um no, but I read about them, some of the older sisters described them once…"

"Then it's decided! Milkshakes for both of us! The unpacking can wait."

Katherine smoothly led her new roommate out the front door and locked it behind her. Seconds later Timmy O'Leary emerged and ran for the bathroom.

***

The sun was going down as Helena's motorcycle pulled into the suburban cul-de-sac. It was a quiet neighborhood full of manicured lawns, picture-perfect houses and picture-perfect families. Except for one glaring eyesore. One house was a burnt out ruin, enclosed by a hastily-erected fence and a crime scene warning.

She checked the address, it was right. This was the last known residence of Dawn and Natalie Lux, better known as Sunbeam and Blackout.

She scowled. This was not how she imagined spending her new career as the Minx's henchwoman, as the Minx's partner. She thought about turning around and going back to Adams Manor but thought better of it. The Minx put faith in her and she was going to at least find out what happened.

Luckily she wasn't in costume but dressed in a simple leather jacket and jeans. She hopped off the bike and rang the next door neighbor's bell.

***

"Give it up coppers! You can't stop… THE TRIPLE THREAT!" The rubbery man man yelled as he stepped out of the bank his elongated arms filled with bags of cash.

Megapolis' Finest ignored his boasts and opened fire. But the bullets bounced off him like pebbles hitting a rubber tire.

"Stupid pigs! That's what you get for messing with SMOTHER!" He stretched one arm and wrapped it around a cop's head, he let the cop choke for a minute then dropped him among his fellows. "Any of you try something and next time I won't let go!"

His legs elongated as he ran, soon he was covering a hundred feet each step and out of range of the cops.

"Damn!" Captain Mulligan yelled as he watched the crook get away. "Where the hell is Stella! She's supposed to handle freaks like him!"

"Hey captain-"

"What is it now!"

"What was that about the Triple Threat?"

"That's his name I guess."

"I thought he called himself Smother?"

"Huh, now that you mention it I guess he-"

BOOM!

The front doors of the bank flew off the hinges and another inhuman figure burst out.

"Outta the way fuzz! Stone is coming through!" He jumped off the steps and flattened a police cruiser as he landed. Bullets bounced off him like spitballs as he stomped down the street.

"Well I guess that two of the triple threat…" Captain Mulligan began.

WHOOSH!

A shadowy figure leapt over the cops and sprinted after Stone.

"Very sorry honorable policeman but humble Slicer must now be on his way."

"And that's number three I guess."

"Can't we do nothing captain?"

"Like what? Yell 'stop'? Sorry kid, these super freaks are out of our league. Unless Stella gets her act together or one of the other heroes shows up they're just going to do what they want."

"Captain! Look!"

"Kid I know they're getting away, don't make me watch it."

"No, Captain look!"

Mulligan turned back down the avenue and let out a low whistle.

Princess Patriot had just arrived!

"Foul villains! How dare you rob these hard-working Americans of their rightful wages! Return that which you have taken and perhaps the courts will show mercy!"

"Girl what are you talking about? We took this from a bank, no hard-working American is going to lose a cent, it's all insured."

"Plus the bank will just lend the money to corrupt war-mongering companies, so really aren't we doing them a favor?"

"Honorable Patriot-Sama is not needed here!"

"Sorry guys, I'm having a really bad day and really can't be bothered to argue property rights now." She raised the Staff of Zeus and…

KRACKA-BOOM!

Lightning bolts flew from her staff catching Smother in the chest. But his rubbery body absorbed most of the damage.

"Sorry flag babe, but rubber and electricity don't mix!"

"Hmph." Princess Patriot snorted. "Let's see how your friend likes it." She turned the staff of Zeus towards the next villain bounding down the road and let loose her lighting!

"That the best you got?" Stone taunted as the lightning bolts barely scorched his rocky body.

Princess Patriot wrinkled her cute nose and fired lightning at the third villain.

He easily flipped out of the way. "Humble Slicer very sorry but cannot stand still for you to hit."

The three villains were all around her now, getting ready for a coordinated attack. Things looked grim for the Paragon of Purity.

"Well I guess you're not so tough after all!"

"Pretty quiet now. No pretty speeches?"

"Humble Slicer will make you talk. Humble Slicer will make honorable Patriot-Sama scream!"

"Guys, I told you I'm having a bad day. Can't you just surrender now and make things easy?"

"Funny thing is Princess it looks like you're the one who should surrender, after all there's three of us and just one of you."

Princess Patriot sighed wearily and nodded at a figure on a rooftop. "OK guys, have it your way."

The three villains stepped forward to attack when…

"FOR LIBERTY AND JUSTICE!"

"What the GKK-" Smother stopped talking because there was a silver sword in his chest.

"Who the fu-" Stone shut up because a super-strong fist shattered his rocky jaw.

"By the Buddha wh-" Slicer was silenced as his swords were chopped in half and the silver sword thrust into his stomach.

"SWEET LIBERTY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

"I'm winning!" Maiden America answered with a smirk.

"You, you can't just kill people!"

"I know that! I took the same lessons you did! Anyway they're not dead, just wounded. I'm sure the paramedics can save them."

"But… but…"

"Look Princess Patriot, this is my weapon. They gave me a sword. What was I supposed to use it for? Cutting their belts so their pants fall down? Maybe whack them with the flat of it? No, this is a sword, it's for stabbing people."

"But… but…"

"This is America! When people make trouble Americans respond with deadly force! Or did you think those police were shooting rose pedals at them?"

"But…"

"Come on, let's go. Our job here is done."

"But…"

But Maiden America was already in the air, Princess Patriot had no choice but to follow sheepishly. Slicer's blood was still on her top!

***

Night Huntress scaled the side of the building. She was in costume now, counting on her indigo and violet outfit to keep her concealed in the shadows. In the distance she could see smoke, lightning and flying figures. Some sort of superhero battle no doubt. No business of hers.

She quickly reached the right window. It was locked but that was little challenge to the daughter of Night Fox and Night Cat. She silently slipped inside. The place was bare. No furniture, no pictures on the wall, not even a rug. Had she made a mistake? Night Huntress thought for a second. No. This was the right floor and the right room. So where was everything?

The front door began to open.

"As you can see the place is ready to rent, you can move in tomorrow if you-"

TWANG!

A crossbow bolt embedded itself into the wall.

"Drop on the floor! Don't look up! Don't move!"

The frightened landlady and two prospective tenants obeyed instantly.

"What do you want?"

"Pepper Dickinson, this is her apartment, where is she?"

"Huh? You mean the woman who used to live here?"

"Where is she?"

"She moved out a week ago! Didn't even tell me in person, just sent a letter and then some movers to pack her stuff."

"Where did she go?"

"I don't know! She didn't leave an address or anything!"

"Stay on the floor! Count to 100! Don't move or look up until you do. And forget this ever happened!"

"OK! OK! One, two, three…"

Before the landlady reached ten, Night Huntress was out the window and descending towards the alleyway.

Pepper Dickinson, Gloria's friend, the woman who'd filled in as the Minx, gone! No trace of her! The Minx would not be happy.

***

"What's your name Nurse Nasty?"

"Where am I? What's going on! Take this blindfold off!"

"Oh Nurse Nasty, that's not the right answer, not the right answer at all."

"AHH!"

Pepper Dickinson had no idea where she was. She'd been kept blindfolded since Boss Bruno captured her. Blindfolded and naked.

She been beaten a few times. Molested too. Her breasts were still sore from the guys who'd mauled them. Finally she was thrown in a trunk and driven somewhere. Dragged down steps. She didn't know how long they'd had her. She barely been fed, never allowed to rest or think straight. Always hungry. Always tired. Always scared.

And now this.

"Now Nurse Nasty, tell me your name."

"Pepper! It's Pepper OK? But you already know that you sick-AHH!"

She was hung from the ceiling by her wrists. She thought the man speaking was the crazy clown doctor who'd molested her that first night but she couldn't be sure. She couldn't be sure of anything! Except that whatever answers she gave were wrong. And wrong answers meant an electric shock.

"Now then Nurse Nasty, your name. Tell me your name."

Why did he keep calling her that? She wasn't-

And then she figured it out.

"Muh… my name is N-Nurse Nasty…"

She flinched, waiting for the shock. It didn't come. Instead she felt a straw pushed between her lips. She sucked at it drawing in that wonderful water. It may have had a slight chemical taste to it but Pepper Dickinson was in position to care.

"That's good Nurse Nasty, you remember your name."

Pepper could do this. She could. If he wanted to hear her say she was Nurse Nasty (whoever that was) she could say it. It didn't mean anything.

"I'm Nurse Nasty." She said clearly.

"Good, good. Now tell me Nurse Nasty, who do you work for?"

"I'm a cop-AHH!"

"Oh Nurse Nasty, I can see this will take a while."

***

"That's your report?"

"They're gone. The Lux girl's house is a gutted ruin, the police found two women burned to death there. Dickinson quit the force, moved away. Everyone said she'd been having trouble at work. There's nothing else to say."

"Helena, I thought you were smarter than that."

Night Huntress just scowled at the insult.

"Consider, Natalie and Dawn were both expert chemists trained by their father. They would not have 'accidentally' burned down their own house. Even if a fire started they certainly have the gymnastic skills and reflexes to get out in time."

"I guess but-"

"And Pepper Dickinson spent years fighting sexism in the police force and then risked her life trying to take my place. Do you really think she would slink out of town without telling anyone?"

"Umm…"

"Get back out there. Find them. Don't bother coming back without them."

"How?"

"If you're really Wes Adam's daughter you'll find a way. If not… well your old job in Thailand should still be open."

Night Huntress rose to her feet and stormed out. It wasn't her fault! Zola trained her for years as a martial artist, as a weapons master, as a gymnast. She could kill a man eight different ways! But no one ever taught how to be a detective! But if she was really going to take advantage of her second change she would have to learn.

***

The next day at the Daily Comet…

"Hey Libertine, O'Leary wants you. Says he needs you for a… private meeting."

The girls in the typing pool all giggled. Everyone knew about Libertine and O'Leary's 'private meetings'. Some of the girls even felt sorry for her since the rumor was O'Leary was seeing Princess Patriot and just keeping Katherine Libertine on the side.

"Actually Kathy you're busy, why don't I take that meeting?" It was the new girl, Drusilla Hedon.

"But…"

"No, no you stay here, I'll take good care of Mr. O'Leary's needs."

O'Leary's office was on the other side of the building, a choice window office with a view of downtown. His years as Stellar Man's Pal and now Princess Patriot's (rumored) boyfriend had paid off for him. The editors might not like him but the superhero gossip he brought in sold papers and that's all that mattered.

O'Leary smiled as he heard the distinctive click of high heels coming down the hall. Finally! After his date yesterday was ruined, his balls had been aching with pressure.

"Hello there Mr. O'Leary."

Timmy O'Leary quickly zipped up his pants under his desk!

"Huh? You're not Katherine you're-" Then he remembered he wasn't supposed to have seen her before "you, um must be the new girl."

"Why yes I am. Drusilla Hedon, pleased to make your acquaintance. I'm Katherine's cousin from out of town. I'm staying with her for a while and she helped me get a job in the typing pool." She sashayed across his office with her hips swaying, her pleated miniskirt rustling. He could almost hear the sound of her silk stockings rubbing together. "You know my cousin told me all about you and I've been very, very eager to meet you."

"That's um, nice, but I asked for Kathy."

"Oh she's kind of tied up now. In fact I expect she'll be tied up for a while. But I'm here now. And I think I can take care of anything that might… arise."

Timmy shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"Say is your office always this stuffy? You're sweating."

Timmy mumbled something.

Drusilla undid her bow tie and loosened the top few buttons on her blouse. Timmy could see the top of her lacy white bra as it strained to keep her breasts contained. He wondered if it wasn't a size too small. She adjusted her skirt modestly but gave Timmy a quick glimpse of her panties.

Timmy swallowed.

"So Mr. O'Leary, what is it you want to do with me?"

Timmy opened his mouth but caught himself before any words escaped.

Drusilla reached up and undid her hair, she shook it out letting it flow over her shoulders, she put her glasses on the desk. She took off her jacket, her blouse was so thin Timmy could see through it. She moved her chair closer, next to his. He could smell her scent. She took off her left shoe and rubbed his ankle with her silk-clad toes.

"You know Mr. O'Leary I just want to take the best care of you, after all I'm brand new and inexperienced. All I have to offer you is my eagerness to please."

"I… I can… I can see…"

"Hmm, I seem to be distracting you, diverting your creative juices. I can't have that can I?"

"You um…"

She climbed under the desk and unzipped his fly.

Timmy gave up and just let his juices flow.

***

Princess Patriot hovered outside Timmy's office window her wide blue eyes drinking in every detail. Drusilla was on his lap, her firm breasts bouncing and down with each gyration. Timmy was sucking on one breast like a baby at a bottle. Finally she turned and flew away wiping tears from her eyes. She knew it was hard on Timmy that they could never… go all the way. But to see him like that, with her minder! She was also outraged at the high priestess. This girl was no maiden! How could they send a fallen novice like Drusilla! After everything she'd done they wanted to replace her as Princess Patriot with that… harlot!

Without thinking she drifted over the city until her winged sandals carried her over the old warehouse district. Princess Patriot usually avoided this part of town, the dying companies and empty warehouses depressed her. She was about to turn back towards the Daily Comet when she heard it.

Shouting!

And the sound of metal hitting flesh!

There was definitely trouble over there and where ever there was trouble Princess Patriot was needed!

"Whoa there boys! Playing a little rough I see!"

"Come on man, like we weren't doing nothing!"

WHAM!

"Tsk, tsk, didn't your mom ever teach you proper grammar!"

"But we was just hanging out!"

SLAM!

"Hanging out and smoking your wacky weed!"

Princess Patriot flew lower, it was one man fighting a dozen dirty hippies!

He seemed hopelessly outnumbered but the odds meant nothing to…

COLONEL LIBERTY!

(Don't tell me you missed the dramatic return of the classic World War II hero Colonel Liberty in Avenging League of Justice #3? Go out and buy it now! – Editor)

"Wow" was all Princess Patriot had to say as she watched Colonel Liberty, America's super soldier, finish off the last of the filthy degenerate hippies.

"Golly, don't tell me that's the best you can do!" He declared.

"No Mr. Big Strong Soldier that's not the best we can do. I am!"

"Who the blazes?"

"It is I, your arch-nemesis!"

THE HAIRY HIPPY!

"The Hairy Hippy!" Colonel Liberty exclaimed. "My arch-nemesis!"

"Come on comrades let's get this fascist warmonger!"

Suddenly dozens of hippies appeared from the abandoned buildings around the Colonel. He took down several of them in the first seconds but they kept coming, even his vitamin-enhanced strength was not enough to stop all of them. Things looked grim for the golden-age guardian when…

"Sweet liberty! Get your filthy paw off him you darn dirty hippies!"

KRACKA-BOOM!

Lightning flew from the Staff of Zeus stunning a dozen hippies and sending the rest of the cowardly peaceniks fleeing. But the pinko ringleader stood his ground.

"So I see America's darling little corporate cheerleader has come out to play as well."

Colonel Liberty looked up, catching a great view of Princess Patriot's panties. "Sophia? Is that you? It can't be…"

"No Colonel, I'm the new Princess Patriot, let's swap stories after we take care of this commie!"

"I couldn't have put it better myself!"

The two red, white and blue heroes charged the filthy activist but the Hairy Hippy threw his head back and whipped it forward with tremendous speed. His filthy, matted hair flew out and formed tendrils that quickly wrapped themselves around the arms, legs and necks of the two heroes!

"Sweet Liberty! His hair is forming tendrils and quickly wrapping themselves around-MMPH!" Princess Patriot's exposition was interrupted as one tendril around her neck cut off her air and another jammed itself into her mouth gagging the girl.

"Well fascists? Now what? You can't throw your shield or use your lighting bolts when you're trapped in my hair!"

"Princess!" Colonel Liberty whispered. "Your hand is near my utility belt, I need you to open the pouch and take out the bottle inside."

Princess Patriot nodded and followed the Colonel's orders. "Good, good, that's it now open it and squirt it on the hair."

Princess Patriot carefully get a finger on the plastic cap, she popped it open and squeezed gently.

The result was immediate!

"ARRG! What in the name of Chairman Mao did you do!"

The Hairy Hippy jerked back, his hair tendrils released the two.

"So I hear you hippies like bongo music, I don't have a bongo on me so let's just play my fist on your chin!"

WHAM!

Colonel Liberty's punch sent the Hairy Hippy into dreamland.

Princess Patriot "Sweet liberty! What was that? Some kind of acid?"

"Acid won't eat through his hyper hair. Even a chainsaw won't cut it."

"Then what was it?"

"Shampoo. His one weakness. I always carry some."

***

Fernando parked the car and watched for a while. He checked the polariods in his file. It was her all right. Kris Ladd, a tall, blonde, athletic woman recently graduated from the Megapolis police academy. She was outside a kindergarten directing traffic and leading kids by. Hardly the sort of impressive crime-fighting he expected to find.

He wondered what the Minx wanted with her.

***

"Sweet liberty, it's so good to finally meet you! I heard all about you back on Minerva Isle! There are scrolls about your team-ups with High Priestess Sophia, the last Princess Patriot. You're just as amazing in person."

Colonel Liberty finished dripping shampoo over the Hairy Hippy's locks. Finally he lit a cigarette and turned to Princess Patriot. "Y'know I was pretty close to Sophia back in the big one. Really close you might say."

"What do you mean 'close'?"

"Well it was spring of '45, just a couple of weeks before I got frozen in that iceberg. Hitler was on the ropes. Paris was liberated and lemme tell you, any supply clerk or latrine orderly could get himself any woman in France. Why if you were in a uniform you practically had to fight off the gals…" Colonel Liberty's face became dreamy but he quickly fought his way back to reality. "Um… not that I ever… anyway Sophia and I had just finished a rough case in Africa. Really rough. Sophia was captured and to tell the truth she almost didn't make it out.

"Africa? 1945? I never heard of that case, and I read all the scrolls in the library! I even looked at those cheap comic books they made based on Princess Patriot's adventures!"

"Shouldn't've bothered kid, those comics will rot your brain."

"Tell me about it, they're such a waste of paper and ink."

"Anyway I'm not surprised Sophia didn't leave a record of it, like I said it was rough on her. Her and Freedom Girl. This Nazi sicko named Vanessa Von Crowe caught them and… Well… I'm just glad we got there in time."

"Vanessa Von Crowe? I wonder if she's related to Claudius Crowe…"

Colonel Liberty shrugged. "Sophia and I were getting some R&R in Paris. Well we had a bottle of wine, and then another. One thing led to another and…" Colonel Liberty finished his sentence with a gesture.

"Sweet Liberty!"

"That's one way to put it. Well the next morning she realized what we'd done, started crying, started yelling, going on how her career was over, the goddess would never forgive her you get the idea."

"Of course! Princess Patriot is the Vanguard of Virtue! The Paragon of Purity! The Maiden of Majesty! The goddess Athena demands only the purest and-"

"Yep, that's exactly what she said. But the funny thing is right at that moment one of Hitlers Uberbots attacked Paris. Without thinking she did her spinning thing and…"

"And?"

"She changed!"

"No! It's impossible Princess Patriot is the Virgin of-"

"Hey, I was there OK? She changed. We fought off the Uberbot and went our separate ways. I got frozen in an iceberg soon after but from what I hear Sophia kept fighting crime till 1950 when she disappeared."

"But…"

"All I'm saying kid is don't believe everything you've been told. Heck when I was a kid ma and pa would tell us that kissing a girl behind the barn could put her in a family way. Scared the heck outta me. Turns out they was wrong, but it did the job."

"You mean I could… I can… I don't have to…"

"Kid, all I'm saying is what I'm saying. Anyway it's about time I took in Hairy here. But hey let's have coffee sometime, I'd love to swap stories about Sophia."

"Yes! Please! Any time Colonel!"

Colonel Liberty threw the Hairy Hippy over his shoulder and leapt away. Princess Patriot stood there for a while feeling rage rising in her heart. How could the High Priestess lie like that! How dare she send that harlot Drusilla to mind her! She had half a mind to just…

And then it hit her. Why not? Why not tell them what she thought!

Princess Patriot rose into the air.

***

Drusilla Hedon stepped out of the shower and toweled herself off. Katherine was still missing. The girls in the typing pool said she'd taken off suddenly and no one had seen her. Drusilla had the radio on and was listening for any cases that might demand the attention of Princess Patriot but there didn't seem to be any emergencies in town. She wondered if she shouldn't swing by Timmy O'Leary's apartment. She hadn't been able to get a confession out of him today but maybe she could catch the two of them in the act!

=MAIDEN AMERICA! RETURN TO MINERVA ISLE AT ONCE!=

The mental summons was like a spike through her brain. She fell to her knees.

=MAIDEN AMERICA! RETURN TO MINERVA ISLE AT ONCE!=

"I hear you! I'm coming OK? I'm coming!"

She staggered to her feet and pirouetted into a spin. There was a crash of thunder, a flash of lightning and Maiden America stood in her place. Seconds later she was out the window flying on winged sandals towards Minerva Isle.

***

"Well. She appears at last!"

"High Priestess Sophia, Priestess Rhea, why have you summoned me back? What's going-"

"We're here to discuss your failure."

"Failure? But I've only been there one day and I already have evidence she had compromised her virtue with a-"

Priestess Rhea just pointed at the temple's marble floor. There was a small pile of red and blue cloth.

"Her… her costume? But why would she-"

"She quit. She stormed in here and announced she was leaving the Sisterhood of Minerva."

"But… but that's great! She's not Princess Patriot anymore! Isn't that what you-"

SMACK!

"I said she left the Sisterhood, not that she gave up being Princess Patriot. She's keeping her magical items, and the power. But now we have no control over her all."

"But the goddess would never-"

"Oh grow up! The goddess doesn't care! She never cared! Your ham-fisted tactics have cost us everything!"

Maiden America realized that guardians were moving behind her. "But… what about me? What now?"

"What now Drusilla? Now you join the other failures in the Dungeons of Discipline! Maybe you'll see daylight again in fifty years or so!"

Maiden America reached for her sword. She still had her winged sandals, if she could fight her way out she could-"

KRAKA-BOOM!

Lightning flew from the High Priestess' staff and Drusilla crumpled to the floor. "I knew I held onto this for a reason."

The guardians were already pulling off Drusilla's Maiden America costume.

"Be careful you don't damage anything. We may need that again someday."

***

Timmy O'Leary slept fitfully. He couldn't believe he'd done that with Kathy's cousin. Sure she came on to him but he could have said no. But it had been so long… not since that night with a drugged out Stella. The important thing was Kathy didn't know. As long as she never found out everything would be fine. But even so he felt like her eyes were on him right now…

He woke up.

Someone was sitting at the foot of his bed.

"Kathy?"

"I did it Timmy. I quit."

"Quit? Quit what?"

"I quit the Sisterhood of Minerva."

"What? Because they sent Drusilla? That's crazy! Just for that you're not Princess Patriot anymore?"

"I thought that's what it would mean. Heck, I half expected the goddess to strike me down as soon as I said it. But no. I'm keeping the power. The goddess Athena gave it to me and only she can take it away. All I gave up was the Sisterhood's silly rules."

"Silly rules, you mean you, we, you and me can…"

Kathy moved into the light. She was wearing something different. It was a tight red bodysuit accented with golden stars. The suit hugged her body, ass and legs but was cut low on her breasts and left her arms bare. She smiled down at him.

"Yes we can."

"Oh Princess you don't know how long I've waited to hear-"

"Sssh" She pulled down the straps on her costume exposing her breasts. She leaned close to him. "But don't call me Princess Patriot any more, that's their name, from now on call me…

PATRIOTICA!

Afterword

Well that took forever to write! As I get towards the end of this series it is getting a bit harder to keep going so be sure and let me know if you want more. I sure would suck not to finish it!

Anyway I've had this idea in mind for Princess Patriot for a while. I knew she would have to be taken down a peg or three and I wanted to throw in her opposite number, an Amazon gone bad. One reader demanded we see her younger, hotter sister Drusilla to this all came together. And I'd been meaning to find a way to use a version of the sexy Wonder Girl costume from the 70s and 80s.

Colonel Liberty is a character who showed up in my Global Protector stories and then in Freedom Girl's popular stories. This is the first time I've shown his costume. It's hard to beat Captain America's outfit for clashing colors and themes but I think I managed it. What do you all think? I do have a story in mind for his 'rough' adventure in Africa with the golden age Princess Patriot and Freedom Girl. We'll have to see if I ever get around to it.

Similarly it was hard to come up with a name that's even stupider than 'Princess Patriot' but I think Maiden America does the job. Of course the Tick beat me to that joke with their Wonder Woman parody American Maid. Oh well.

The Triple Threat is an idea I've had for a while and it's been FOREVER since I did a simple hero/villain fight in this series. There is a theme behind them, anyone guess it yet?

Meanwhile the Minx is setting things in motion for her next phase. And Stella is making even stupider decisions. Some things don't change.

Next Issue: How can the Minx be around if she died and was cremated a year ago? Find out next issue – It's a Long Story.

Marcus Lycus

(Marcus_Lycus@hotmail.com)

June 2010

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