"Where do you even keep an injector in that costume?" asked the scowling Sovereign Girl

"I have pouches along the top of my boot" said Valkyrie

"Isn't that a bit dangerous? A concentrated dose of lacticide strapped to your thigh? One slip or missed block and the whole thing could unload into you" said Butterscotch Fox.

The 3 women sat in loose robes, poking randomly at pieces of fruit stacked in the bowl at the centre of the table.

"It would be damn near suicidal for you or Sovereign but Athena, Tethys, Night Strike and me aren't monsduggians" said Valkyrie

"They're sort of super soldiers" said Sovereign "that's why they can't fly"

"But then Tethys took a beating from Violet that would have turned any human into a smear" said Butter

"Maybe a bit more than super soldiers, I mean really, the Jaegers are basically super soldiers" said Sovereign

"Way to explain Sov" murmured Valkyrie "So, everyone knows that during world war 2 the nazis were crazy for super soldier programs, but the Russians, the French and British had their own programs, it's apparently how the British national health service started actually. The nazis came pretty close with their project but then the war ended and their research was plundered piecemeal by both the west and the soviets. When the USSR collapsed the British, French and West Germans went hell for leather to grab the soviet tech from the various big research complexes in East Germany, Hungary and Poland. They kept working on their own projects but costs forced them to start pooling their resources at the start of the millennium. That's when they got a breakthrough and the result was us" said Valkyrie

"Well, you and a ton dead volunteers who couldn't handle the transformation process" muttered Sovereign

Valkyrie glared a darkly at Sovereign

"So you're still basically human?" Asked Butter

"That's a matter of debate, I have extra bits of dna spliced in here and there, a ton of extra glands and some backup organs. The result of all that is comparable toughness with you, and a bit better speed and strength" said Valkyrie "I also have regeneration that makes even yours look like medieval medicine. The lack of flight does irk me, though they were talking about augmented jumping a while back"

"And by the way, your old pal Vanessa Payne was one of the researchers on the British program just before they combined with the French and Germans" said Sovereign.
"But then, Jade, Ebony and Pearl, are they Monsduggians or something like you?" Said Butter

"Something?" Said Valkyrie

"You know what she means Valk" said Sovereign "and they are a bit of both, or at least so we think, since they are basically clones they are probably more on the Monsduggian side"

"After your buddy Vanessa was kicked off the European program Payne started doing a lot of experiments for the North American Institute. They had managed to artificially create heroines using crudely refined melonite power crystals but they wanted more Monsduggians. Payne promised she could give them just that and started a cloning program. The problem was her tech isn't, or wasn't up to it. She also started trying to tweak things, make her progeny more like her ideal woman. She created monsters, like literal monsters, things that had to be hunted down or locked away in fortified jails. The closest she got to the original brief was with Jade, Ebony and Pearl but even then they were power mad, sadistic, villainesses rather than the noble, selfless heroes that the institute wanted. Those 3 were the final straw, Payne was forced out of the Institute and her aberrations were incarcerated, or at least that was the plan. We still don't know how Payne sprung them" Valkyrie said as she leant back in her chair nibbling at a peach.

"and now she has the resources of the whole of north America and my psycho sister to bank roll her" said Butter glumly

                                                    ***

Tethys stared at the harsh white strip lights lining the ceiling above her and sighed. My own stupid fault for getting sucker punched she thought. The cold steel of the table she lay on did not trouble her half as much as the decrepit face that leered over her naked body.

"Most impressive. The bones have fully knit without any external intervention and your hleinir cells staunched the internal damage exactly as they should" Muhle ran his liver spotted hand over Tethys' ribs.

"Move it or loose it director" Tethys growled

Muhle snatched his hand away as if burnt, a hideous leer on his ancient face.

"So, I'm clear for action" said Tethys as she sat up reaching for the pale green robe draped over a nearby chair.

"Not, entirely" muttered Muhle "Your, erm, shall we call it an ordeal, at the hands of Violet fox? I think we need to be sure that there is no lasting psychological damage there, we would not want you to be frozen in some sort of traumatic flashback at a critical moment would we?"

"You vindictive little homunculus, you know I'm fit, you're just getting off hearing about how I was molested in a dungeon" spat Tethys

"Your reaction to the attack by Violet Fox is interesting, I suspect that it has occurred as a result of your enhanced senses "Muhle grinned at the furious heroine "So if you do not want me to write this reaction up as a trauma I suggest you submit to these very necessary tests"

Tethys returned a dark scowl

"Good girl" whispered Muhle.

                                                    ***

Accompanied by a group of 20 Jaegers, Valkyrie and Athena strode into the main fortress briefing room. A sizeable group of men and women in suits filled the opposite end clustering around a long table with teas, coffee and various shaped biscuits. The collective heads of the group gradually swivelled to look at the 2 heroines and their heavily armed escort as they entered the room. The gazes ranged through shock and semi outrage to obvious fawning lust. Valkyrie returned the gazes forcing most to turn away while Athena gleefully heaped biscuits onto a paper plate. The jaegers simply drew up in a loose group and stood silently waiting.

"Feels weird coming to one of these without Tess" said Athena, biscuit in hand

"Yeah, if I find out Muhle held her back so he could letch I'll pulp his decrepit skull" murmured Valkyrie

"He's getting worse" said Athena

"You're telling me, he did a full internal exam after that thing with the weights, I mean, not so much as a bruise and he still made up some pathetic excuse about how he needed to be up to his elbow in me"

"You're shitting me?!" Said Athena

"Wish I was, but nope. I put in a complaint to Horst, he seemed pretty shocked too, we'll see what happens" muttered Valkyrie

"To be fair Horst pretty much gave him a free pass to mess with you after that stunt you pulled with the new weights" said Athena

"Yeah, well, like I say, lets see what happens. It's not impossible that Muhle will suffer an accident. Lots of stairs in this castle and he is ancient" said Valkyrie darkly

The discussion was abruptly interrupted by a tapping on the podium microphone.

"Alright, we're all here then?" said Colonel Horst "Captain Stahl"

Stahl moved from the cohort of analysts surrounding Horst and threw a switch on the wall. The sound of bolts slamming home filled the room and red strip lights above the doors flicked to green.

"This is a security briefing relating to the ongoing political situation in Usonia and its impact on the security of Europe" the projection screen behind Horst flashed into life showing a large map of Europe "The blue sections here are the 28 members of the EU. The yellow section here belongs to the 5 former Yugoslavian Balkan states who are in the process of negotiating membership and to Norway and Liechtenstein here and here. The yellow and blue sections are, as some of you will already know, finalising a new mutualdefence agreement as we speak, broadly it isa rehash of the tattered NATO agreement and states that an attack on one is an attack on all. The red here is Iceland which was expected, until Tuesday, to join with its EEA brothers Norway and Liechtenstein and come in on the pact, however it appears that a delegation from Usonia has managed to sway them. They are now considering their options very carefully. We understand that they have been offered status as an Usonian protectorate. Clearly if Iceland accepts that offer we would have an Usonian dagger pointed at the heart of northern Europe, which is not a situation that anyone in Europe wants"

Horst paused and took a small sip of water.

"That is why this task force has been assembled. The diplomatic team has been cleared to provide frank disclosure of Europe's defence capabilities if necessary. Valkyrie and Athena, you are being attached to this mission, along with the Jaegers under captain Mylan, as both security and as evidence to the Icelanders of those defence capabilities. Our hand is being forced here but we have to show that we have a serious answer to Scarlet Fox's mutants. Our intel says Pearl fox and a bodyguard of fox hounds are the core of the Usonian delegation. This is not primarily a combat mission but if the Usonians cause trouble you are authorised to neutralise any and all Usonian forces, understand?"

"Understood" answered Valkyrie and Athena

                                                    ***

"Good morning Admiral" chirruped Athena as she waltzed onto the bridge of the Bulwark moments ahead of Valkyrie.

Kaspar returned a dark scowl "Mister York, don't we usually stow baggage in the cargo holds?" He growled from the corner of his mouth.

"Harsh" murmured Valkyrie

Athena leaned forward and planted a quick kiss on Kaspar's unflinching cheek "Nice to see you too sugar buns" she said

Kaspar stared at the interlopers for long minutes, the prophetic words of his first CO ringing in his ears 'women on ships is bad luck'.

"The diplomats are having a tactical briefing at noon, briefing room A, I imagine you will want to disrupt that" muttered Kaspar

"That's all we wanted to know" said Athena with a wink.

Kaspar stared daggers.

"Okay, well, thanks for the always warm welcome aboard, we'll head down to the mess and grab a bite" said Valkyrie as the two heroines spun to leave.

"Brew's up sir" said a Lieutenant at the admiral's elbow as he held out a mug of tea" I think that Greek one likes you sir, you've bagged a hottie there"

"Macedonian" muttered Kaspar

"Sir?"

"She's Macedonian, used to be part of Yugoslavia, damn, that was a long time ago, they get a bit pissy if you confuse them with Greeks and also sailor, my life is quite complicated enough without adding that costumed bag of crazy to it" he sighed and shook his head "I'm getting too damned old for this front line nonsense, everyone else had the sense to get a nice comfy office well out of the line of fire years ago"

"If I may sir, your standing here on the front line facing down these Usonian super freaks while the rest of the brass hide in London or Brussels or whatever is greatly appreciated by a fleet that would otherwise feel like cannon fodder, sir"

Kaspar looked sidelong at the ensign "noted mister York. I suppose we'd better be getting underway then, get harbour control on the horn"

"Aye sir!"

                                                    ***

"I understand that you used to be PET, the diplomatic protection division?" The tall, thin speaker peered over his tiny spectacles at Valkyrie

"That's correct. Also, I'm up here mister?" She answered

"Carlsson, Andreas Carlsson, I will be heading the diplomatic effort and I do apologise, one is only human after all and your uniform is quite unusual" replied the diplomat

"Rest assured Mr ambassador, there are practical reasons for my uniform" she replied, ignoring the stifled giggle that came from Athena.

"I look forward to hearing about them but first, to the matter at hand. It appears that the European response to the formation of Usonia was not anticipated by Scarlet fox and doctor Payne. They have however reacted with commendable speed, their overtures to Iceland are only the tip of the iceberg. The British and Irish also received some promises and veiled threats but surprisingly they have sided strongly with Europe" Carlsson steepled his thin fingers touching the point to his chin "Pearl fox is leading their delegation and, we must assume, using her pheromone charms to sway the Icelandics, we need her out of the way. Without her vile musk clouding the issues the Icelanders should snap out of it and reject Scarlet's 'slavery lite' offer"

"We handled Violet fox, we can handle Pearl fox" said Valkyrie

"We understand that she has at least 4 fox hounds as bodyguard, can you 2 take on all 5?"

"Project Hlin recognised our lag behind Scarlet in the super power arms race so the project worked on the principle that European assets should be able to engage and win on a ratio of 2 Usonians to 1 Hlin member. We are playing it safe while we gain experience however so the 20 Jaegers we brought should be able to handle the fox hounds while we subdue Pearl fox" said Athena

"Subdue?" Asked Carlsson

"Capture and incarceration is my preference. It is not miss extreme prejudice there's" said Athena, jerking her head towards Valkyrie

"Well I will leave the Pearl fox strategy to you two, just counter her games and I am sure we will be able to seal the treaty"

                                                    ***

Pearl fox dragged a white gloved hand across the pale cheek of one of her fox hounds. Even with her passion arousing pheromones dialled up to full the clone maintained its dead eyed stare. Pearl scowled, the dark look clouding her fine mocha features. The fact that the clones were resistant to her power screamed to her that Scarlet and Payne would not hesitate to turn their mindless cannon fodder on the very generals who had won the war for them. Huffily she turned her gaze on her grovelling intelligencer. The man was stood with his head bowed, heat and desire radiating from him. His face was blotchy and red and his blue shirt was dappled with sweat marks. Idly Pearl considered whether the man's heart might burst from the strain of the arousal her pheromone experiments were causing him. She savoured the idea of being the last thing the intelligencer would ever see as he expired in frustrated bliss. With a sigh she dragged her attention back to the present.

"As expected the Europeans have dispatched some diplomats to make counter proposals to these dowdy islanders?" She purred

"Yes my lady, a small force of ships left Cuxhaven early yesterday and is approaching as we speak. The lead ship is the HMS Bulwark, it led the force that recently intervened in Latin America" said the intelligencer

"And no information has surfaced about Violet fox I assume?" Asked Pearl

"No my lady, Violet fox has dropped off our radar, although I caution, Lady Scarlet is not directing significant intelligence gathering forces to that issue"

"No, she is far more concerned by the recent rumoured sightings of Power Angel in Usonia itself and this pathetic euro panic" Pearl paused and fixed the intelligencer with an intense stare from her huge brown eyes

"Tell me, what do you think has happened to Violet Fox?"

The intelligencer gulped as the full force of Pearl's presence was directed at him. The pristine white boots, gloves and bustier contrasted beautifully with the woman's rich mahogany skin and the huge dark eyes seemed to fill his world. At the back of his mind a voice was screaming that it was all a chemical trick but he could not shake the overwhelming desire to surrender himself to Pearl.

"My lady, my opinion, I hasten to add that it is but an opinion and given your history with violet I do not offer it lightly, is that Violet fox has been eliminated by the Europeans, possibly with the assistance of Power Angel who we know was incarcerated by Violet"

Pearl stared at the intelligencer for long moments. She considered a dozen messy ends for the man but a nagging doubt clawed at her. Violet was not one to go quiet or to allow a prisoner to escape and the Power Angel sightings were being taken very seriously back in Philadelphia. Her former lover had not adjusted well to the brutal annihilation of the old institute and the collateral damage Scarlet's ascension had necessitated. She might even have wanted to end it all thought Pearl.

"You will direct some of your spy skills to Latin America and uncover what has happened to Violet fox" Pearl stated "you report on this to me and only me"

"Your will my lady" replied the intelligencer

                                                    ***

Valkyrie wandered out of the bathroom roughly towelling her hair. Athena, clad in a fluffy white hotel bathrobe, glanced up from the tv she was languidly watching.

"The showers on that tub of Kaspar's really don't cut it" muttered Valkyrie "and I thought your were going to pour yourself into your suit"

Athena snorted "pour myself, you're one to talk! Are we ever going to find out what these practical reasons are for your basically running around naked?"

"Shock and awe" Valkyrie replied, winking as she simultaneously jiggled her large breasts.

With a resigned groan Athena dragged herself off the bed and shed her robe. She stood for a moment looking at her carefully folded uniform then quickly slipped on her dark purple knickers. Her matching bra followed before she slipped on the dark purple and black leotard.

"Do me up" she chirruped at Valkyrie

The tall dane obliged and pulled up the zip on the rear of the leotard, slapping Athena on her pert ass once done.

Slowly Athena pulled on the black and purple boots fastening the clasps tight to her thighs. She left her mask on the dresser as she skipped into the bathroom to apply her dark purple lipstick and mascara.

Valkyrie finished towelling herself down and picked up her discreet thong. She slipped the blue black thong over her womanhood and straightened the rear in the cleft of her buttocks. She then pulled the torso section of her suit on, pulling open the two clasping arms and fitting them around her breasts to cover and support the ample mounds. Satisfied with her uniform she slipped on her right boot and left glove then wove the criss-crossing left boot and right glove. Her clothing complete she slipped on the blue black eye mask and fixed the small blue circlet above it. A quick application of icy blue lipstick completed the ritual.

"Are you done in there yet?" She yelled into the bathroom "I can get dressed in the time it take you to pretty yourself up"

"This doesn't just happen you know, it takes care and precision" said Athena as she emerged from the bathroom. She picked up her mask and fixed it across her face.

"This is much better since they widened the eye holes" she quipped.

Valkyrie touched her ear "the delegates are assembling now, Carlsson wants us in the room asap, nice of him to warn us that he was starting early"

"Well if duty calls" said Athena as she walked to the door.

                                                    ***

Pearl fox sat and watched the European delegation filing into the conference room. A long carefully waxed eyebrow arched as the 2 brightly costumed women strode into the room behind the diplomats.

"The penny drops" she murmured

"My lady?" Her intelligencer asked

"That ship and these 2, are what happened to Violet fox, I would bet on it" she said "Put the clones on alert and send a message back to Usonia that we may have some competition in the superhuman leagues"

The intelligencer nodded to a clerk who hurried from the room.

"They are beautiful" whispered Pearl "I love that tiny costume on the blonde and the eyes scream rage. I bet she'd throw me around like a rag doll and I wouldn't even have to ask"

"Erm, she certainly looks formidable and she must be confident to dress like that" said the intelligencer

"But then look at the legs and the hair on her friend. Imagine those vicing around you. Imagine grabbing handfuls of that brown mane and gasping for air" without thinking Pearl slipped a hand below the desk.

The intelligencer, a lucky survivor of the ill fated attempt by the various American spy agencies to oppose Scarlet's ascension, felt a familiar arousal spike.

"My lady, your pheromones, is it wise to flood the room now?"

Pearl, dragged from her day dream back to the dreary world of politics, turned a look of hate on her aide "No, you are correct" she hissed as she dialled the power back down "now is not the moment"

                                                    ***

"Esteemed delegates" said a thin weary looking woman in a grey suit "thank you for attending this summit. We find ourselves living in what the Asians would term interesting times and it gladdens me that we can resolve our differences around a table rather than on the battlefield"

"A sentiment we all share madam prime minister" purred Pearl fox her eyes flicking to the European delegation.

The prime minister also looked at Carlsson, waiting for a follow up comment.

Carlsson flicked a tiny wink "Brigitte, rest assured that our humble coalition of nations would never forget nor abandon our kin in Iceland, we are honoured by your invitation to this summit. It has been far too long"

A small smile broke across the face of the Prime minister "You have no idea how happy I am to hear that Andreas" she said

"Although the recent history of Europe is not exactly full of incidences of support being hurriedly and whole heartedly provided" mused Pearl

"A good point Miss fox, the free nations of Europe are indeed reluctant to throw lives away on petty campaigns that will not fix anything. It took us some time to learn this but learn it we have. However, you may have noticed our recent rapid deployment in south America in response to a request for aid. That intervention has reversed a violent insurgency and halted the spread of a truly vicious organisation that many were describing as a cult"

"My current area of attention is the north Atlantic and arctic Mr ambassador, street thugs and minor cartels are low on my list of priorities" Pearl said as she fixed Carlsson with a piercing look "perhaps however you would like to bring me up to date in a private session after this briefing"

Carlsson had been ready for the wave of pheromones and the focused presence but still felt like he had been hit by a speeding train. Heat flashed across his face and he struggled to clear his thoughts. On the verge of accepting Pearl's offer he felt a strong hand squeeze his shoulder painfully. He flinched and turned, breaking the stare and feeling his head clear slightly. He found himself staring directly into the flat stomach and large breasts of Valkyrie. The distraction broke Pearl's spell and he felt the torrent of heat reduce.

"Practical reasons ambassador" Valkyrie murmured

"Quite" whispered Carlsson "Quite" he repeated more firmly "A generous offer but one I think I must decline. Unfortunately it would be inappropriate given the matter at hand, perhaps once this business has concluded"

Pearl glared across the table, a curious mix of hate and want marring her perfect ebony features.

"On that note, I think we should get down to business" said the Prime minister clapping her hands brightly.

                                                    ***

"That fucking pasty blonde bitch! I had them, I had that weak willed suit ready to eat out of my hand and she fucks it all up with a flash of skin" Pearl raged as she stamped around her suite "I should flit over there and make her lick my fucking boots!"

"My lady, I would caution against rash action. Your own appraisal was that the Europeans display a considerable formidableness" said the intelligencer

Pearl turned to face the man "look at me, look at me you worthless shit! Do I look like a fucking barbie doll, I'm Pearl Fox, I brought down Butterscotch Fox and turned Violet Fox. I broke open that den at Alcatraz after Jade got herself mauled, I brought the nation of fucking Cuba to heel! But you think a couple of test tube babies on their first play date are too much for me!"

The intelligencer gurgled as he writhed on the floor consumed by unquenchable desire for Pearl fox and simultaneously blasted by the force of her presence into total submission. Through the ache of longing he could feel the blood pounding in his skull and his heart stuttering as the strain grew too much. Abruptly the sensations ceased. Hurriedly the intelligencer prostrated himself on the floor before the enraged villainess. He risked a quick sideways glance at his mistress.

Pearl was staring out of the window, the crisp light causing her white stockings and bustier to glow. A blue sheen glowed along the edges of dark skin and a faraway look filled her eyes.

"Do you think they knew?" She whispered

"My, my lady?" Croaked the intelligencer

"Scarlet and Payne, do you think they knew about the Europeans' heroine program? Did they hang Violet out as bait? Are they doing the same with me? Sent here to be slaughtered so that they can plot their next move?"

"My lady, I am not aware of any intelligence relating to a European meta human project. The appearance of these women is a quite unwelcome development. To my knowledge Europe has, prior to this alliance, been expected to fall obediently into line with Usonia. Scarlet fox has primarily concerned herself with the mecha constructs that the pacific alliance can field and the CIS Ogre program. I cannot say that Violet fox was not unofficially cast out of Scarlet's court but I am certain you have not been sent here as some sort of test dummy" the intelligencer gulped at his realisation that he had called Pearl a dummy.

The woman however appeared not to have noticed. She remained staring out of the window her face an emotionless mask. The trembling intelligencer continued to prostrate himself, his head bowed to the floor.

"Payne will want to dissect one of these" she finally whispered.

                                                    ***

"Heads up" murmured Athena as Pearl fox and her fox hound bodyguards filed into the conference room

"Captain Mylan, bring your Jaegers in as close as possible to the conference room. Usonia is here in force, they might try something if this goes against them" said Valkyrie activating her communicator with a touch behind her ear.

"Acknowledged Commander Valkyrie. I will appraise the Admiral also" came the clipped voice of the Jaeger captain

"Back up is on the way" muttered Valkyrie out of the corner of her mouth

"Commander, Admiral Sutherland advises that the Usonian naval squadron has twice attempted to position itself between our ships and the coastline since yesterday's meeting" Mylan reported over the com

"Thanks for the update" whispered Valkyrie, she shot a glance at Athena "It's going to go off"

Athena nodded.

"My Esteemed delegates" the prime minister began to say.

Valkyrie noticed that some colour had returned to the woman's face and that she seemed more rested that the previous session.

"I must repeat how grateful and honoured we are that you have taken the time to attend this summit on our remote island, we look forward to the future with great hope that the nations of the world will be able to resolve their differences peacefully, as we have done here" a nervous smile broke the Minister's face and she swept an errant curl of hair out of her eyes "It is the decision of the government of Iceland however that our best interest lies with the European Union and as such we will ratify the free trade and mutual defence pact today. We thank the delegates from Usonia but we cannot at this time commit our people to the protection of this fledgling nation"

All eyes in the room swivelled to focus on Pearl fox and the 4 blank eyed fox hounds behind her. A slim smile broke Pearl's face and she nodded slowly. "Execute" she whispered.

The fox hounds exploded forward as Pearl shattered the table in front of her. One each closed on Valkyrie and Athena. A third fox hound grabbed the prime minister by the throat and hefted the kicking woman into the air. The final hound kicked through the table in front on Carlsson closing on the terrified diplomat.

The 2 heroines viewed the Usonian attack as if it happened in slow motion. In the brief moment between the fox hound launching itself towards her and it crashing into her Valkyrie had risen to her feet and braced herself. As the fox hound reached her Valkyrie snapped her right fist forward, twisting to put as much power behind the blow as she could. A shock like a hammer blow travelled up Valkyrie's arm as the fox hound's head collapsed around her fist, gore and bone matter jetted sideways from the compacted skull. The lifeless corpse continued into the heroine bowling her over.

Athena deftly whirled around her opponent allowing the clone to continue on its trajectory straight through the wall. Stepping forward she launched a high straight legged kick into the face of the fox hound bearing down on Carlsson.

"Get out of here" she yelled at the horrified diplomats

The fox hound recovered quickly despite the hideous gash ripped in its face by the kick. It lurched forwards, arms outstretched and fingers curled into hideous claws. Athena grabbed a wrist and pulled the creature forwards. Simultaneously she launched a knee into it's gut forcing the breath from the clone. She aimed a brace of punches into the doubled over creature's spine dropping it to the floor. A grim look flashed across her face as she stamped down hard, shattering vertebrae. She glanced behind her and saw her original assailant climbing out of the hole it had ripped in the wall. Behind it the prime minister's struggles were growing ever feebler. A trio of snaps echoed behind her as Captain Mylan's Jaegers joined the fight. 3 dark armoured figures knelt, coil guns drawn to their shoulders as more jaegers entered the room. The magnetically accelerated bolts slammed into the fox hound hard enough to draw blood. The clone dropped it's abused victim and turned on its new assailants.

"I'm going after Pearl!" Shouted Valkyrie as she sprinted across the room.

Athena opened her mouth to argue but had to block a thunderous round house punch from her original assailant. Guess I'll have to catch up she thought.

Valkyrie pounded down the hallway in pursuit of Pearl. A police officer, slumped against the wall, blood dribbling from the corner of his mouth, pointed at the stairwell and gurgled. Valkyrie veered right and bounded up the stairs. She touched the communicator behind her ear.

"Athena, Pearl's heading for the roof, catch me up!" She shouted into the link

"Just finishing the last hound" came the reply

Valkyrie reached the top of the stairs and threw herself flat. A circular disc of steel thudded into the door frame at throat height. She rolled to her feet and glanced at the weapon. A mop bucket that had been hurriedly stamped flat making an impromptu saw blade have to remember that one she thought.

"So not just a pretty face" purred Pearl fox sacheting forward from the alcove she had concealed herself in.

"On your knees, hands behind your head" growled Valkyrie

"Oooh, you want me on my knees and we haven't even been introduced yet, how very forward! I'm Pearl fox by the way" said Pearl

"Yeah I've heard of you" said Valkyrie

"Of course you have, the world loves me" replied Pearl "But I haven't heard of you Mrs Nobody"

Valkyrie ground her teeth "it's Valkyrie, Miss Valkyrie and can I assume you're not going to surrender like I asked?"

"Ooh sweetie, the only one who is going to be surrendering is you, don't you think? Don't you feel the heat building in you? The familiar butterflies in the stomach? You know you can't fight me, not when my pheromones make surrender so much more palatable" said the evil fox

Valkyrire's retort died in her throat and she reached out a hand to steady herself. She brought her left hand up to her head a grimace of confusion on her beautiful face.

"What are you doing to me" she murmured "get on your knees or I'll, I'll...."

"Shhhhhh, little lamb" said Pearl stepping forward and placing a gloved finger on the trembling heroine's lips "Save your strength for doctor Payne's dissection table"

Valkyrie moaned as the malevolent seductress moved forward and her full breasts pressed against Valkyrie own.

"Did you really think I'd let you get away with slighting me? Nobody has every pulled someone out of my hold but you think a flash of your pasty skin gets you into the big leagues" whispered Pearl as she nuzzled close to Valkyrire's ear

"You won't get away with this, I'll stop you" whispered Valkyrie

"Oh I think I will" Pearl slid a hand down Valkyrire's flat stomach and around to the of her leg. The grinning villainess drew her hand to eye level and gleefully tapped thumb with fore finger. "That's not sweat honey, it's too gummy, that's all you"

"Don't let me go" whimpered Valkyrie kissing Pearl's cheek

"Oh I won't, well at least until we're back in Usonia" said Pearl "It really is for the best sweetie you don't want to be here when Scarlet sends in the shock troops with orders to turn it into a graveyard" she giggled "These cod eating idiots really believe Scarlet will just let them get away, they have no idea of the example she is going to make of them"

Valkyrie's uppercut caught Pearl completely by surprise. The villainess stumbled backwards and collapsed on her back.

"Ok, so just to recap, and stop me if I missed anything, you want to dissect me and Athena and an apocalyptic invasion is on the cards for Iceland, a good day's intel, ten points to Valk" Valkyrie chirruped brightly

"What? But you were mine! My pheromones had you!" Shrieked Pearl

"Yeah, well, I'm not saying I won't need some alone time later but it'll take more than some fluttered eye lashes to get inside my knickers" said Valkyrie

"You're not even wearing knickers you fucking bondage whore!" Yelled Pearl

"Fascist with dreams of world domination threatened by confident woman, non shocker" muttered Valkyrie "No, don't get up, you won't win a one on one with me"

"So what, I sit here and wait for your girlfriend to arrive so you can finish me" spat Pearl "just like you murdered Violet fox"

"Violet was a mad dog, I gave her the chance to surrender, she refused, so she had to be put down" said Valkyrie

Pearl felt a tear build in the corner of her eye. She searched Valkyrire's face for a hint of deception but found only a stony mask of determination.

"I guess then that you're not the only one who can gather intel" Pearl smirked, the tear running down her perfect mocha cheek.

Valkyrie's brow furrowed then she lunged forward. Her outstretched hand grabbed only air as Pearl activated the teleporter on her belt and vanished.

"I forgot they had those too" muttered Athena stepping out of the stairwell "Urg, it smells like a whore house up here"

"My fault, her pheromones are pretty strong, almost too much for the anti venom I was furiously glanding, I think you could drown a horse in my knickers" said Valkyrie

"Well, maybe I'll help you get rid of some of that frustration when we are back on the ship" said Athena with a sly grin

"Only if you tie me down and pretend you're going to dissect me" muttered Valkyrie

Athena looked at the tall blonde sideways "Seriously, we need to get you a therapist"

The two heroines turned and began to walk back down the stairs.

"You really don't find that helpless, edge of death thing a turn on?" Asked Valkyrie

"I wouldn't say no to being choked" replied Athena "but strapped to a table and sliced up? Bit too far"

"Prude" said Valkyrie punching her team mate on the arm

"Shut up you psycho and call in that intel" replied Athena

                                                    ***

The gunship touched down on the lawn of the hotel ruining eighty years of hard work by various grounds keepers. A scowling Kaspar stamped down the stairs his hat tucked tightly under his blue uniformed arm. Captain Mylan saluted smartly as the Admiral marched up to the hotel entrance. Valkyrie nodded a greeting while Athena threw a playful wink and blew a kiss.

"Surprised this place is still standing after the damage you lot did" muttered Kaspar

"Oh come on, we saved it, saved the whole country in fact, a few holes in the walls can be plastered over" quipped Athena

"All you did was to fire a bloody big flare gun into the air and paint a sign saying come and get us. Letting Pearl fox escape with vital intel is just plain sloppy" roared Kaspar

"Wait a minute Admiral" snapped Valkyrie "teleport is only effective over short range, you must have let the receiver ship slink off"

"Incase you hadn't noticed the pride of the Usonian navy is burning in the bay thanks to the efforts of my non super powered and very mortal sailors" he ran a hand through his greying hair holding his scowl for long minutes then gave an exasperated sigh "yes in fairness not all of their ships were sunk, at least one frigate made it out and we crippled a sub, but there could be more, damn geothermals off the coast play havoc with sonar"

"No plan survives contact with the enemy" said Athena "and bickering will get us nowhere, we need to plan the defence in case that invasion threat is serious"

"Oh it's serious, satellites have half the Usonian pacific fleet bee lining for the panama canal. We have spotted heat blooms in the reactors of two paid off carriers on the east coast as well" said Kaspar "I've no idea where they'll get the sailors, the armed forces were decimated by those supposed rogue heroines that helped Scarlet take over"

"Shit, then we need to get to work" said Valkyrie

"Me, not we" said Kaspar "you two are being rotated back to base, they are sending your bravo team to take over here, reckon we'll need the air support apparently"

"You better be kidding me!" Growled Valkyrie

"I'm not, orders" he passed a short page of computer paper "straight from Colonel Horst"

                                                    ***

Pearl fox shivered against the cold marble floor. Stripped of her clothes and with a pair of fox hounds holding her head to the floor she waited to hear what fate Scarlet fox would inflict on her. She knew the others would be watching, Scarlet liked to publicise the price of failure.

"You know why I released you don't you and you know why Vanessa created you" murmured Scarlet from her throne. The chair had been a statute of her hated sister Butterscotch Fox but had been melted to near molten slag to create a hollowed pillar in which a person could sit. Oddly a warped and melted face could still be seen leering out of the base.

"Yes my queen" answered Pearl "to reshape the world, to tear down the false idols, to stop the worship of those airheaded bimbos and to return the world to a place of discipline, obedience and humility"

"And yet you failed to bring a tiny island nation into our new empire" whispered Scarlet "and so the question is what to do with you now?"

Pearl's short, violent life flashed before her. She forced her head up enough to glance at Scarlet "Did you know about the Europeans' heroines? Did you stake me out as bait and send me to die? Abandoned me like you abandoned Violet"

Silence filled the gloomy throne room.

"We knew that they had a program, but they were decades behind the institute. I do not understand how they could have caught up and overtaken the Americans in so short a time" said Vanessa Payne. The malevolent brit stood at the right side of Scarlet's throne. "Your information on them and their assassination of poor, troubled Violent Fox is the only reason you are still alive"

"She never took to that name, she was always Violet to me" whispered Pearl, tears pooling on the floor before her.

"Do not try my patience Pearl" hissed Scarlet "Vanessa has counselled me that you may yet atone for your failure but I can still have you neutralised"

Pearl winced at the thought of losing her powers and being locked away in some nightmare by Ebony fox.

"Stand her up" whispered Scarlet

The fox hounds holding Pearl dragged her roughly to her feet. The villainess stared up at Scarlet, her eyes blotchy from crying.

"You may return to your citadel and compose yourself" Scarlet smiled a wolfish grin "Afterall, I will need all of my generals fit and healthy if we are going to war"