Defenses

Howard woke up next to two of the beautiful Amazons sleeping next to him. His movement caused both of them to wake as well, as they stared around the unfamiliar place.

"Morning!" Howard said as he looked at the two of them as Steve who was already working through things shook his head.

"We got lucky, we caught a ride." Steve sat down, "We made some good time. Welcome to Jolly old London!"

"It's hideous." The girls complained as Howard chuckled.

"Better get used to it now, since it doesn't get any better," Howard said as he handed Steve the translation of the notebook he had prepared before sleeping explaining things to him in a serious manner.

"So you don't think my seniors would take this seriously?"

"Of course not." Howard said, "As I said we're negotiating peace, so everyone is sure to be hesitant to make a move around here. This notebook will only help them give a heads up and be prepared at the most and in the least, they don't pay any attention towards it hoping peace solves things but will help some good men to our side if there are any."

"Where are you going to stay?"

"I'll make a call after we stop so I need you to wait here as well."

"Wait for what?"

Reaching the dock, Howard entered the very first office that came into sight as he barged into to use their telephone calling someone to pick him up.

"I still don't understand what I am waiting for?" Steve complained while Howard struggled to keep the two curious women in check.

Soon two military vehicles arrived in front of them as from of the seat Roman got out.

"Don't tell me you swam all the way here." Roman said, "I remember telling you to not ride the plane. And who are these people?"

"Okay dad, you can stop with the questions." Howard sarcastically said, "Don't mention the plane to me, right now, I am not in a very good mood. These two ladies are my guests. And this guy here is Steve, he has classified intel that needs to be taken to his superiors. So take him to his destination and make sure he is safe."

"Is he bright?"

"Of course he is."

"Bright? What are you talking about?"

"It's our signal for, the German's probably got a hit on you and will try and kill you." Howard said, "So, therefore, you're bright and we have to hide you before they get a glimpse of your light, or else they might turn it off. Now that I think about it, who came up with this weird metaphor."

"You did. You were drinking for a week straight for your experiment on how alcohol affects you, so I am guessing you don't remember much." Roman rolled his eyes as he looked over at the two women who were his alleged 'guest' which normally meant new girlfriends so he didn't pay much attention to them but he was still a bit weirded out by their costumes.

"Guess, we'll have to work on that." Howard shrugged. "What about my brothers? And your wife and child?"

"They are all back in the villa." Roman nodded, "The driver would drop you off. And I'll come back with Mr. Steve here."

"Good." Howard nodded as he signaled both the girls to get in the car and he followed soon after, "Any news on the mutant?"

"Your brothers will be happy to tell you about it."

"Then we will see you later, Steve." Howard nodded at him as he had the driver drive the car away.

"So these things are like chariots?" Diana asked as she seemed quite amused with the car and the whole scenery of the people around them.

"It's quite similar to it." Howard said, "But it's run by fuel and engines."

"You build it too?"

"Not really, but I am thinking about moving to the automobile industry as well." Howard said, "I might even start right away after the war."

While Diana and Howard were having a pleasant conversation flirting and giggling now and then as Howard would explain things about their world. Stopping near a small stall, Howard bought them cotton candy. Diana looked while amazed and happy with the food but Artemis, on the other hand, was on full alert ready to jump out and fight any time.

"You can put down your guard around here." Howard said as he pointed at the car, "This a military vehicle so no one will dare attack us out in the open."

Artemis didn't look so convinced as she nibbled on the cotton candy and soon like a glutton she began biting through the entire thing and was done with it in less than a blink of an eye. She didn't say much but seeing her reaction it was obvious she liked the thing as it made Howard chuckle. Gaining a glare from her he went back to flirting with Diana. Howard had to say that it was a different experience, she was well aware of what Howard was doing and knew the meaning behind his jokes but she still kept him at bay like an experienced woman.

Reaching his villa, all of them got out as they entered through the door. It wasn't anything exotic but just a decent normal villa a bit far away from other commercial parts of the city but still close enough, with Howard in the lead they were walking in towards the stairs when suddenly growling noise made them alert.

Howard saw James and Victor jumping towards him, their claws ready and out when suddenly Artemis jumped in front of him, and with the sword, she wielded blocked their attacks throwing them a bit off. They looked at Howard who smirked at them as they couldn't help but feed to their instincts as they jumped towards Artemis attacking her.

Diana wanted to help her too but Howard took her hand and shook his head. "Let them be."

"Who are they?"

"My brothers." Howard said shrugging, "I know they look older than me but it is what it is. Just let both sides get it out of their system and it's a good chance for me to understand Artemis's power."

"So these were the powers you were talking about," Diana calmed down as she observed their sharp, long claws as they attacked Artemis with great strength and speed. "Who do you think is going to win."

"My brothers don't really have a fighting style, they just go with whatever works so in terms of combat it's easy to see that Artemis is able to overwhelm both of them." Howard said studying their fight, "But if it was a real fight, Artemis might not be able to win that easily."

Being an Amazon she couldn't swallow that comment as she looked towards him, "How are you so sure?"

"How long can you fight the unkillable?" Howard shrugged, "In a real battle, fighting an enemy that keeps coming back to life is exhausting even with your Amazon physiology I doubt you can handle for that long. And there's the second point, I saw your sister's die with bullets so I am sure little by little my brother can inflict enough wounds that would prove to be fatal no matter how good her defenses are. So all they need is one lucky shot and they have all the chances in the world."