Trinity

By the time the Mayor had completed his opening speech to the crowds assembled at Hayes Park, their anticipation, already whetted by the initial appearance of the Amazons, was almost at fever pitch. Mayor Keogh kept his oratory brief, citing the effect of the Amazons’ arrival unto the world stage, the implications of their existence on several theatres of belief, scientific, religious and social before welcoming the ancient race to the city of Metropolis. The cynic would see his endorsement as politic since the public approval of the Amazons would only add to his won standing with them.

In any case, the subject matter kept the public at large enthralled, the reporters scribbling away at their note pads while television crews recorded the event with digital means. With their attention solely fixed on the oratories held at the Gazebo, the crowd settled in to listen, getting comfortable until the introduction of the Amazon Queen inciting a raucous burst of applause and cheering as the woman took centre stage. Large video screens were erected in some places for those in the park who were unable to gain an adequate place from which to watch the proceedings live.

Queen Hippolyta of the Amazons waited patiently until the applause died down, watching the crowd with thoughtful impatience. Blue eyes scanned the faces before her and marvelled at the variety. When the silence had fallen over the crowd, she spoke into the microphone and raised a brow at her voice echoing throughout the park. Even though she was accustomed by now to the technological advancements of the Patriarch’s World, there were still some things that marvelled her still.

“Greetings,” she opened simply and then continued. “This is how salutations are offered in what we call the Patriarch’s world, your world that is. This,” she raised her arms, crossing the iron bracelets that all Amazons wore on their wrists over her head, so they would make contact, “is how Amazons greet each other. Glory to Gaea.”

The introductions was met with an explosion of applause as some of the crowd mimicked the greeting but largely it was clapping that the Queen received from her audience. Smiling, the lady lowered her hands and waiting for the cessation of the applause before beginning again.

“Three thousand years ago, an act of violence on both our parts, caused the Amazon nation to leave the Patriarch’s world to establish a new home on our island. The fault was equally ours as much as the men who violated our ancient home. We had hidden ourselves and thus engendered hostility that culminated in the sacking of our city. In the aftermath of that devastation, we examined our own behaviour and saw our faults in the ashes.

The Amazon race was created as a bridge of understanding between the sexes. Man and woman were always destined to live in peace but it has been a message lost in ideology, politics and all the mistakes that history is infamous. Instead of being that bridge of understanding, between the two genders, we chose instead to withdraw into ourselves, fostering an atmosphere of fear and hostility, which ultimately led to tragic results.

My sisters and I are here in the Patriarch’s World to ensure that the mistakes of the past do not repeat themselves. It is our sincerest hope that we can learn from each other. There is much we can teach each other, not merely on things that are already to known to us but in preparation for the future to come. The world is a place of wonder and already perceptions that have existed for so long are being broken. However, change is how life surprises us and we hope in the months to come as more of my sisters walks among you, you take the time to understand us, to ask your questions for surely, trust can begin no other way.”

Hippolyta ended her speech to the sound of another burst of wild applause. The sky thundered with it, frightening birds out of the trees and drowning out all other noise. The Queen accepted this applause with a radiant smile, commanding the attention of everyone in the audience as she waited for the clapping to die down.

Withdrawing from the stage, she was replaced by the slight figure who would resume the speech to address the most contentious issue to emerge from the revelation of Amazon Nation in the world. Menalippe was not as imposing as Hippolyta but there was something about her that seemed serene in contrast the applause that greeted her upon her arrival before the crowds. Looking about demurely, Menalippe hesitated a moment, clearing her throat before she spoke. Her voice was soft with dulcet tones.

“Glory to Gaea,” she offered the crowd the Amazon greeting once the clapping had died. “I am Menalippe, High Priestess to the Isle of Themiscyra. Since our arrival in the Patriarch’s World, we have learned that the cause of greatest uncertainty among you is the connection to our Gods, what you know as the Olympians and have relegated to the realm of myths. Prior to our embassage at the United Nations, some of us had ventured into the Patriarch’s World to gain intelligence as well as to learn what had transpired beyond our homes. We learned that there are many different spiritual arenas, some that were known to us and some that are new.

Suspicion has been levelled at us because we commune with our gods in a way you do not. Faith does not depend on whether or not the divine touches us personally. It exists because you choose to feel it. Our gods speak to us, sometimes to me personally, I hear them and I know they exist. Does that make your unseen and unheard gods any less? I do not believe it so. The Amazons are taught to believe that faith is what makes our Gods divine. They speak to us at their own counsel and our prayers are no more answered than yours. Only you can decide if they are real to you, as so many people of faith had done so from the beginning of time.”


*********

Clark had intended to get out of sight when the speeches began but seeing that he had run into Lois and Bruce, he opted to remain with them as the Amazon gave their stirring speeches. Whether or not the crowd believed every word spoken, there was no denying the sincerity in the Queen’s words or the truth in Menalippe’s. Menalippe’s oratory seemed to strike as potent a chord as Hippolyta’s in quashing the public’s anxieties.

The biggest outcry since the Amazons had arrived in the Patriarch’s World had come from the bastions of organized religion. The proof that the Amazons claimed to be Immortal rocked the foundations of all the major faiths as it contrasted directly with the tenets of life ever lasting and original sin. Fortunately, the Amazons had been careful not to make direct comment on any of these contradictions. In fact, Clark found Menalippe’s speech to be an elegant solution that challenged anyone who questioned their faith to look to their own spirituality for answers.

Philipus was the last one to speak before the speeches ended and as the tall, regal woman took the stage, it was not difficult to believe she commanded the Amazon army for more than three thousand years. Statuesque, she stood before them like a Nubian goddess of old.

Offering the customary greetings to the crowd in the traditional Amazon way, with an accent that was exotic and lyrical in comparison to Hippolyta’s commanding eloquence or Menalippe’s calming tone; Philipus’ began her contribution to the speeches of the day.

“As described earlier by my queen, we withdrew from the Patriarch’s World following the sacking of our city by the hero Heracles. However, that is not to say that we haven’t ventured forth since our permanent departure from your shores. Over the centuries, we have sent out covert embassies across the globe, in part to gain intelligence on the state of mortal affairs but also to learn. Our ability to speak many of your languages is a result of this. I myself am able to speak English, Mandarin and French. The Queen much to her credit knows at least a dozen languages...”

********

Watching Philipus make her speech, she felt like she was a small child once again.

The general’s ability to leave her in awe had not faltered one wit in her twenty years of existence. While Philipus presented an image of Amazons grace and strength, only she in the audience knew that at the heart of her, Philipus was a woman who felt deeply, cared greatly for those she loved and had a softness that might not seem apparent in her sturdy carriage on first sighting. She remembered receiving her first lesson with the sword under Philipus’ tutelage, terrified that the general would have no patience for a child but there had been nothing to fear. Philipus had been kind because she was happy to have a new student.

She would not be here in the Patriarch’s World if not for the tutelage of Philipus and to be here, to witness first hand, the triumph of the three most important people in her life was worth the risk of a little scolding.

Moving through the crowds, she was surprised how her physical appearance could allow so many to stand aside for her and let her pass. There were easier ways to witness these oratories of course but to do so would earn her mother’s ire beyond simple irritation. The anger of Queen Hippolyta was nothing to provoke. It was often easy to forget that the mother was also the Queen and the daughter was required to obey. Nevertheless, a smile, a look of gratitude and the men who saw her stood aside gaping. They were very odd creatures.

Almost near to the stage, surrounded by more people than she had ever seen in her life, an assortment that varied in gender and colour, she noted the one thing all had shared in common; their complete attention on Philipus. As a child, she understood how it felt to feel such awe and she hoped that this reception was indicative of their effect on the people of the Patriarch’s World. If all could view them with such respect, perhaps Philipus fears about exposing Themiscyra was unfounded.

Suddenly, she caught sight of one face that did not appear to be transfixed. If anything, the man’s expression was dark. His eyes were fixed upon Philipus with burning intensity. It made her uncomfortable, sending a chill of uneasiness down her spine as she saw the look on his face. Her experience with malice was limited but they told her from birth that she had the gift of insight into men’s hearts from Aphrodite herself.

And her insight told her there was danger.

If this is comes ill, I shall be on hand to do something, she told herself.

Then the man did something that made her heart stop cold in her chest. He threw a sidelong glance and the girl with the hunter’s eye, followed the direction he had hurled it. Not far away, there was another, wearing a face just as stern, as if Lyssa the Goddess of Rage had painted his features with her venomous brush. How many were there? She asked herself. Was their hatred benign or would it manifest itself violently?

“Our way of life is different and it is old, steeped in tradition. Some of it may be familiar,” Philipus, continued to speak, her speech reaching crescendo. “Those who know the Achaeans, what you call the Greek, may recognise our rituals and our beliefs. We have no desire to convert but we are willing to teach if you will it. We have learned much from you. We hope that you will be curious about us enough to learn….”

“HERETIC WHORE!” The man she had been watching screamed on top of his lungs, causing the proceedings to fall silent as eyes turned to him. However, it appeared words were not all that he had in mind. From beneath the folds of his coat, he pulled out a weapon and though she had little experience with them as she did so many other things in the Patriarch’s World, she knew what it was. She had seen a weapon of this kind the night she faced the challenge of the Flashing Thunder. She knew what they could do.

“YOU ARE NOT GREECE!!!” The man screamed again and aimed the long barrel of the weapon at Philipus who was staring at the man in shock. The sight of the weapon threw the entire proceedings into utter chaos as people began screaming, running away as if the Furies were in pursuit. Gunfire erupted from several places throughout the place and confirmed her suspicions that the man had not been alone. This was an organised assault by several men.

How foolish they were to think that everyone would be moved by speeches, she thought. For some violence was the only thing that could affect them. Like this murderer who intended to slay Philipus right before the eyes of thousands.

Wasting no time, the girl thought nothing of the danger or the exposure to herself as people trampling each other, desperate to escape the fury of the flashing thunder. Fear for their safety and that of their loved ones was driving normally rational people into madness. She could hear screaming from women, the wails of frightened children and the chaos that came with panic. On the stage, the UN security forces assigned to protect the Queen and her entourage ran across the stage, determined to protect Philipus. A gesture the general would have found ironic if the situation wasn’t so dire.

This has to be stopped, the girl told herself and discarded the coat she had been wearing over her clothes, and it would only be in the way. She was told when she was given her amour that these were the heraldic colours of the Patriarch’s world and she had seen proof of this since her arrival. Hopefully that would ease the disruption.

The only calm in a sea of pandemonium, Diana of Princess of Themiscyra, leapt into the air.

*********


Standing next to Lois and Bruce, Clark was just as transfixed as everyone else was by the stirring speeches being given by the Amazons. When the obscenity was screamed at Philipus, he knew immediately who had uttered it and it took less than a second for him to discover the man was armed. If he didn’t have to worry about his identity, he could have reached the gunman before the first shot was fired. Unfortunately, Clark Kent did have an identity to protect and he couldn’t risk its exposure because it was those who were closest to him that would suffer.

“Oh my god!” Lois exclaimed as the second scream of rage was punctuated by gunfire. People were scattering across the green like ants. Authorities were trying desperately to gain control but the crushing crowds running the opposite direction was making it difficult for the police to reach gunmen. The Amazons were wrestled off the Gazebo but Philipus was still trapped, unable to move from where she had conducted her speech.

“Go!” Bruce hissed at Clark who was already searching for a place to make a quick change, knowing perfectly well that Clark could hear him despite the noise around them. “There’s more than one of them!”

Clark nodded, taking Bruce’s word for it because the man was never wrong and five years hadn’t changed that opinion one damn bit. On the stage, security people were ushering everyone to safety as Secret Service men rushed out to protect Philipus from the gunfire. The Amazon was pinned down, unable to move save she was caught in the gunfire cutting the Gazebo to shreds. One or two of the Secret Service men attempting to approach were caught in the cross fire of what was now without a doubt as Bruce had said, multiple gunmen.

Finding a stack of road cases, Clark streaked past it barely noticed because everyone else was interested in getting away. Fleetingly, he hoped Lois had sense enough to get out of here and not chase after a story, which was her usual habit. Fortunately, if there was one person he could count on for her safety, it was Bruce. There was hardly a second of time passing between his stealing a discreet moment to the emergence of Superman.

Meanwhile, Lois had managed to break away from Bruce in the confusion was making her way not out of the line of fire but as close to it as she could get. Confident that Superman would save the day, she took advantage of the commotion by taking refuge behind the gazebo stairs so she wouldn’t be scooped from another major story. Jimmy Olsen, where are you when I need you, she grumbled. Single minded as ever, Lois opted using the camera on her cell to take pictures.

“Do I have to carry you out of here Lois?” Bruce asked as he finally tracked her down.

“Oh chill Bruce,” Lois retorted. “Superman will be here in a second.” She said confidently.

“Famous last words…” he suddenly stopped talking as his eyes caught something in the air that wasn’t Clark.

“What?” Lois demanded as she looked over her shoulder at him to see Bruce Wayne gawking.


***************

Clark was in the air and on his way to the scene when he saw the girl.

In the years to come, Clark would look back on this day as one of the defining moments of his existence. In his whole life, he could remember only a few occasions that held similar importance. The first time he laid eyes on Lana, the day his parents told him how they had found him, the loss of his father and Chloe, the first time he realised with utter certainty that Lois Lane was the soul mate he had been searching and now there was this; the first time he laid eyes on Diana of Themiscyra.

Lois would always be the most compelling woman he would ever know but on this particular day, Clark Kent met the most magnificent.

Like him, she was in flight.

With dark jet hair trailing behind her, she was perfectly sculpted. The perfection of muscle, curves and sinew could not have been better combined if a sculptor had moulded her from clay. She was tall and slightly bronzed. Blue eyes stared at the scene before her. She was wearing some kind of costume (well actually not that much of a costume), which bore the colours of the flag, right down to the white stars against satin blue. Across her chest were stylized letters in gold that looked like ‘WW’. The lasso hanging from a belt around her narrow waist and a tiara on her forehead was also gold and for a moment, Clark had no idea what the hell he was looking at, only that he was staring at her like teenager who just discovered porn.

It was only when Clark saw the silver bracelets around each wrist that he realised that she was an Amazon.

*************

She reached the gunmen first, unconcerned that people were now starting to stop in their tracks, the sight of a flying girl in the air was overriding their initial panic. Placing herself between the gunmen and the Gazebo, Diana saw the barrage of gunfire coming and immediately went into action. She had passed this test before although there were more bullets now than during the initial trial with Philipus. Nevertheless, Diana did show know fear and as the bullets came towards her. Moving her wrists with near lighting speed, she deflected each bullet with her bracelets, much to the astonishment of anyone in sight of the spectacle.

The shock of seeing the bullets halted in such a fashion caused the gunman to stop shooting and as he lowered his weapon, uncertain by what she was, Diana closed the distance between them and snatched the weapon from his hand.

“You barbarian!” She barked enraged, snapping the rifle into two and tossing the weapon that was little more than scrap aside. “You were going to murder a defenceless woman, like some hunted animal! What kind of coward are you?” She picked him up by the scruff of his neck, shaking him hard enough for it to leave an impression if not permanent injury. The other gunmen both frightened and shocked by these latest turn of events had opted to turn tail and run, some were apprehended by police and security who were finally able to reach them.

Whoa, Clark thought to himself as he watched the proceedings long enough to know that he had better intercede. Still confused as to how she could fly and possess the abilities she did, since Lois’ reports about the Amazons said nothing about superhuman powers, Clark flew towards the girl and landed behind her.

“Miss,” Clark said putting his hand on her shoulder, intending to draw upon his small town manner to disarm her. “I think you should put him down before you really hurt him.”

In retrospect, he probably shouldn’t have touched her.

Unaccustomed to being manhandled, especially by a man, Diana’s reaction was swift and Clark wasn’t expecting the punch that sent him through the base of the Gazebo with such power that everything between him and the ground he eventually landed on was destroyed. The posts and side panels holding the structure up were smashed into splinters as Clark tore through them. The Gazebo collapsed spectacularly as Clark smashed into a tree, splitting the trunk at base and causing the tall beech tree to topple forward on top Gazebo’s domed roof.

Seeing what she had done with rising mortification, Diana released her captive and flew at top speed to catch the beech tree before it landed on the room, crushing everyone beneath it. Causing leaves to whirlwind behind her as she sped over the ground, Diana took hold of the tree and hoisted it away to safety, leaving the destroyed vegetation on an empty piece of parkland. By now police and onlookers had swarmed in, drawn back by the appearance of Superman and a new personality of which they knew nothing but had captured their imaginations.

That…actually hurt, Clark thought lying on his back.

Clark heard footsteps approaching him and looked up to see Lois and Bruce approaching, both having gotten clear of the Gazebo when he went barrelling through it. Both appeared dishevelled and covered with dirt and leaves as they approached him and the sight of them, prompted Clark to his feet.

“C…Superman are you alright?” Lois skidded to his side, fighting the urge to hug him. Sometimes this secret identity thing really sucked, Lois thought inwardly. “Did she hurt you?”

“No,” Clark grumbled, rubbing his jaw. He was uninjured. His pride on the other hand was smarting from being blindsided by a punch from a girl.

“Then what the hell just happened?” Lois demanded, hating it when he made her worry.

“A left hook, I imagine.” Bruce said with a perfectly straight face.

Clark shot Bruce a dark look before flying after the girl who was going the gunmen her captive who was surrounded by policemen. Considering the strength at her disposal, Clark wasn’t letting her harm another person.

“Alright Miss that’s enough,” he said firmly, grabbing her arm to keep her from approaching the police or their prisoner. This time when she swung to hit him, Clark was ready for it and caught her fist with all the strength he could muster, allowing it to go no further. “I don’t want to hurt you but you’re not hurting anyone else.”

“I am not going to hurt anyone else!” The girl said indignantly, blue eyes flashing at outrage of the accusation. She was also rather stunned that he had managed to stop that punch. “How dare you accuse of me of the same crime this monster has tried to inflict upon innocent people! He tried to slay my sisters! He could have harmed everyone here! How can you protect him?”

“DIANA!” A voice said sharply and Clark saw a most amazing thing happen. The girl’s expression of fury melted and for the first time he saw apprehension crossed those radiant features.

Looking over his shoulder, he saw Queen Hippolyta striding towards them. The woman’s expression was stormy and Clark was suddenly very grateful that it wasn’t him she was mad at. Reminded of those times when Martha was angry with him and would call him by his middle name, Clark Joseph Kent, aka Superman, took a step back.

“You were supposed to stay at the hotel.” Hippolyta said sweeping past Superman, more focussed on the girl whose name he guessed was Diana.

The confident combatant he had seen a moment ago vanished, Clark now saw a young woman, uncertain and somewhat overwhelmed by everything that was happening. With a flash of insight, Clark realised that this particular Amazon didn’t sound like she was three thousand years old. In fact, he was fairly convinced that she was as young as she appeared. Suddenly, he felt a surge of guilt realising that he had handled this whole thing rather badly.

“I wanted to hear your speech,” Diana answered the Queen with guilty eyes. “And that man was going to slay Philipus! He wasn’t alone mother! There were at least four of them.”

Four? Clark saw only sighted three. Clark searched the area and saw that the police had indeed captured three suspects, which meant a fourth had gotten away. Who were these guys? He wondered.

“Superman,” the Queen regarded him for the first time. “We have heard of your great deeds since our arrival to the Patriarch’s World. Indeed our friend, Lois Lane, speaks of you often. We are honoured to meet you.”

“Likewise,” Clark said finding this whole thing rather bizarre. “I am sorry if I scared your friend a little,” he tried to offer the girl a smile but she seemed more concerned at the Queen’s anger.

“She is not my friend,” Hippolyta shot the girl a look. “Just a child who had disobeyed her Queen. Superman, allow me to introduce my daughter, Diana.”