JANUARY 1, 2052 | 0930 local | ROYAL PALACE
Juno walked at a brisk pace though the halls of the Royal Palace, clutching a small computer pad in her hand. She had a stony stare as she quickly walked towards the Royal wing. The Amazons who saw her knew this meant “stay the Hell out of the way” and gave her a wide berth. Something was definitely up, they knew. The Polemarch’s aide usually did not walk at a hurried pace.
Turning into a large hall, lit by sunlight streaming though the windows that lined the hallway, Juno walked quickly past the various statues of women warriors that had died in combat for Themyscria before the war. Women like Antelope and Dianna Trevor. Normally when she walked down this part of the palace she would look up at them, silently honoring each as she passed by. Today however, she simply walked past them, for she had other thoughts on her mind.
Ahead of her was the archway that lead to the royal apartments. And two Amazons, both armored and armed. Both guards were part of the last line of defense for their Queen and Polemarch. Not that Donna or Dianna really needed physical protection. Instead, their job was to restrict entrance into this part of the palace. Juno was one of the very few who had permission to enter without prior notification, and even she needed to stop and state her business.
Of course, the guards knew Juno well. But orders were orders, and Juno got the same treatment as all the rest. As the Polemarch’s aide approached, both guards stamped the bottom of their spears on the floor, and crossed them in front of the archway, baring further movement forward. Juno stopped about 10 feet in away.
“Halt!” the guard on the right barked. “Advance and be recognized!”
Juno stepped forward one step. “Juno, aide to the Polemarch, here on official business,” she replied. Assenting, both guards uncrossed their spears and resumed their normal stances.
“Pass!”
Juno continued past the guards and up the marble stairs leading to the private chambers of the Queen and Polemarch. At the top of the stairs were two more guards, armed and armored similar to those below. However, these two simply watched her as she came up the stairs. At the top, Juno passed the guards and turned right, heading towards the Polemarch’s residence. Left was strictly off limits, for that was where the Queen’s residence was.
Stopping in front of a wooden door, the likeness of a female lion intricately carved into it, Juno looked down at the computer pad for a second to make sure it was still on and working. She then knocked.
“Polemarch,” she said. “it’s Juno.”
There was no response.
Juno was not surprised. Donna had been up very, very late last night celebrating and talking with various guests. Juno knew the Polemarch needed some well earned rest. But what she had in her hand was much too important.
Juno knocked a second time, and again there was silence from behind the door. Juno sighed and straightened her tunic before slowly opening the door. From the light streaming in from the open door, Juno could see that the Polemarch was still in bed and apparently asleep. Juno eased her way into the room. She could make out Donna’s back was towards her, her upper left arm and head exposed from under the blankets.
Juno approached the bed and placed her hand on Donna’s arm. She gave it a gentle shake.
“Polemarch,” Juno said in an apologetic tone. "I have something that needs your attention,”
“That better be news the Legion has surrendered en masse, Juno.” Donna replied, causing her aide to jump back in surprise.
Donna rolled over and sat up.
“Good morning, Juno,” Donna said, stretching and then reaching over to turn on a gas lamp on her bedside table.
“G-good morning, Polemarch,” Juno stammered, still a bit surprised.
“I heard you knocking, but I was hoping it was just a dream,” Donna explained. She then spied the data pad in Juno’s left hand.
“I guess not,” Donna added, and put her hand out in a silent request for the pad.
Juno handed the over to the Polemarch and took a step back to wait. She had already read the report about the invasion, which is why she had rushed over.
As soon as Thailand was hit, the League’s satellites were all over it. They were feeding back a wealth of information to the Tower and the League’s intelligence analysts in near real time. This report was put together by the Tower and send down to the Watch. It was a quick summary of what had already happened. Juno could see in the dim light of the computer pad the Polemarch’s face turn ashen.
“The Gods preserve us,” Donna muttered as she scrolled through the preliminary causality figures. Hundreds of thousands were already assessed to be dead, and most of Bangkok destroyed. And the rest of Thailand was not doing much better.
Donna finished reading the rest of the report in silence before handing the pad back to Juno. She then threw off the blankets and climbed out of bed, still very naked except for her two silver bracelets.
“Any indications of Legion involvement,” Donna asked in a hopeful tone as she threw open the curtains, bathing the room in bright mid-morning sunlight.
“Unfortunately, none yet, Polemarch,” Juno answered as she winced from the bright light.
Donna grunted in acknowledgment as she sat down behind her dressing screen and started to pull on clothes. If it was the Legion, and Donna was willing to bet her shield it was, any such activity was either hidden well, or connections already buried deep.
“The Queen?” Donna asked from behind the screen, referring to her sister, better known as Wonder Woman.
“Her Highness has been informed and is expecting you, ma’am,” Juno replied. “A Council meeting has also been called for later this morning to discuss the situation.”
Donna nodded at that last statement, even though Juno couldn’t see her. Calling a council meeting was to be expected, but Donna knew baring some sudden shift in policy, nothing could be done besides diplomatic protests. Thailand wasn’t a treaty party, and thus not entitled to direct military intervention by the League or its allies. Unless Legion activity could be proved in time, or if at all.
Fat chance of that, Donna knew. The Legion wasn’t dumb after all, otherwise they wouldn’t have gotten as far as they had already.
Donna finished getting dressed and stepped out from behind the screen, wearing her normal black and silver costume, complete with its silver boots, and greaves. It was going to be a very busy day. Besides the council meeting, Donna was already anticipating a flood of calls from allies throughout East Asia who were all probably very scared right now and looking for some reassurances from friends.
Donna sighed inwardly. She had hoped today was going to be one of the very few quiet days she got. She had been expecting Robert to come for an informal dinner with her and Dianna tonight. Now that was out of the question thanks to this little crisis.
“Come Juno,” Donna ordered as she strode out of the room, heading for the stairs and her first meeting of the day. “Let’s get on with it.”
“Yes, Polemarch,” Juno replied as she followed behind, pausing only to close the door before hurrying to catch up.
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