Her name was Ynga Wotansdottir, and she showed us it was not an accident.
The 17 months that passed between the tragic death of Champion and the horrific death of the European heroine known as Wotansdottir were filled with investigation, speculation, and frustration. Investigations in literally every country in the world picked the evidence found in Little Rock apart. Joint investigations compared notes, suspects, and methods. Suspects were questioned, arrested, released, and questioned again. The world saw a drop in international crime as hundreds of criminals from dozens of syndicates were either arrested or severely curtailed their activities to avoid notice.
Unfortunately, nothing surfaced but rumors and empty accusations. Most of the public seemed happy to blame the public enemies, like Schreck or the Fedayeen, but a few more conspiracy-minded pointed fingers at political entities. Champion was taken out by the CIA, they said, or the Swiss, or the Iraqis, or the Martians, or any number of other groups. Most of these fell within that hazy area of not quite proven, not quite disproven where conspiracies that endure exist (except for the Martians, who sent a public communiqu through NASA and the ESA, expressing their condolences and offering an ironclad alibi). After a few months, only the most vocal supporters of these theories could still be heard, and after a year, much of the world had tried to get back to normal. Even the criminal activity returned to prior levels, for, as Nocturne liked to say, Criminals are criminals because crime is easier. Life went on.
And then Wotansdottir was killed.
Ynga Wotansdottir had been active as a superhero since the beginning of the Serbian conflict. She had first appeared in the Balkans, where she had single-handedly demolished an Albanian tank squad, armed with only a broadsword and her bare hands. She did not stay in the Balkans, but could be found across Europe, dealing with international crime. Despite the fact that she wore the uniform of an Swedish soldier, she wore no rank insignia and publicly admitted that she did not serve in that nations military. Sweden did not officially recognize her until she dramatically and publicly arrested a slavery ring that had been using Stockholm as distribution port; at that time, she began wearing the rank of Captain in the Swedish army, and the country officially recognized her as a citizen.
Standing over six feet tall, with long blonde hair, icy blue eyes, and a warriors physique, Wotansdottir was the very image of a Valkyrie. Despite her formidable appearance and frightening prowess in a fight, she was a very open person. Her frank, honest manner made for an easy conversation, and even made her claims of being a child of the ancient Norse deity, Wotan (sometimes called Odin), believable. Certainly her durability, speed, and ability to avoid damage (a much-played video clip showed her dodging machine gun fire), as well as her skill with any and all weapons made it seem even more credible.
Her declaration that she was the daughter of an ancient myth was met with a variety of reactions. Many people thought it a delusion or outright lie. Some accepted it as truth, or accepted that she believed it as truth. The Southern Baptist Church condemned her outright, calling her a pagan and worse. Followers of satr proclaimed her a prophet. The Pope called her a misguided, but good, soul. Wotansdottir ignored them all. Her family heritage was her business, she once told Barbara Walters. What others thought of her wouldnt stop her from being her fathers daughter.
Most of the general public took to Wotansdottir. She was more popular in Europe, given her nationality and general opinions, but given her looks and acceptance of her celebrity status, she was also well-known across the world. Magazines, fashion designers, and paparazzi all wanted her for photo shoots and clothing lines. Most of these she declined, choosing only a select few that met with her own personal standards. Her photo shoots for Vogue are well-known, as was her relationship with the Versace fashion house. It was not surprising to find her at a movie or theatrical premiere in London, Los Angeles, Paris, or (especially) her native Stockholm, wearing an original dress and escorted by a member of Swedens diplomatic corps.
Unlike Champion and more traditional superheroes, Wotansdottir focused most of her attention on international crime. She could be found whereever terrorism had become commonplace, making more than her share of enemies. While Schreck regularly clashed with Champion, it was Wotansdottir who faced the groups that the metaterrorist funded and trained. Schreck himself did not deign to comment on Wotansdottirs actions (not that the taciturn villain usually deigned to comment on much of anything). The Fedayeen publicly declared on Al Jazeeras news broadcasts that he would take her head in single combat. Despite the Sunni metahumans martial abilities and the more than a half dozen battles in which he and Wotansdottir met, the two of them were too evenly matched for either to gain enough of an advantage for a decisive victory.
A year after her official acknowledgement by the government of Sweden, she was promoted to Major in the Swedish Army and given a position in the peacekeeping forces of the United Nations. Under her direction, an elite team specializing in counter-terrorism was established. This team, offically named Team 8, contained highly trained and experienced members of many nations. While the soldiers were mostly European, there were also members from America, Brazil, Argentina, Russia, India, China, Australia, Japan, and other nations. These soldiers distinguished themselves quickly, and their reputation grew to equal that of Delta Force, the Special Air Service, or Spetznatz. After several years of success, the UN extended their duties to include public security for diplomats, and they soon became a regular sight at international functions. Although they numbered fewer than 30, Team 8 (or Yngas Boys as Londons Star dubbed them, despite the fact that they were co-gender) soon became one of the most well-known military units in the world, and individual members, such as Jonathan Tyler (better known as the Bastard of Berkshire), Jorge Gorgeous George Cardenas del Santiago, and Ahmet The Knife Khim, became famous figures in their own right.
And then came Vienna.
On June 22, 2001, terrorists seized control of the Anglo Irish Bank building in Vienna. The Viennese police would have treated the event as a bank robbery save for two things: the terrorists had actually phoned in the robbery, and the first two police units on the scene were massacred by automatic weapons fire and rocket-propelled grenades. Police cordoned off the streets around the building for nine square blocks around it. The Austrian Land Forces were called in, but they deferred to Wotansdottir and her team, who had been guests of the President at the Official Residence at the time of the attack. Although dressed formally for the occasion, Team 8 and its commander prided themselves on fast response, and their gear was on hand in their transport at the Vienna International Airport. Their easily recognizable APCs were at the edge of the cordon within an hour of hearing about the attack.
Wotansdottir immediately conferred with the Austrian Land Forces counterterrorist unit and the Police Commander. While police and members of the Land Forces began to evacuate the area (not difficult, given that many people had fled when the police had come under assault), Team 8 gathered intelligence to formulate a plan of action. The tactical expertise embodied by the men and women of Wotansdottirs unit
Eyewitness accounts by members of the Austrian Land Forces and the Tactical Unit of the Vienna Police have provided analysts with an exacting breakdown of the operation. Wotansdottir left meticulous notes of the operations plan that have allowed forensic scientists to plot out what exactly happened that evening. While a police negotiator dealt with the member of the terrorists that had contacted the authorities (a man who would only identify himself as Nemo), Team 8 dispersed in a wide pattern through the streets surrounding the bank building. Relying on the plans of the building, the sewers and telecom access passages, and the surrounding buildings, Team 8 surrounded the building, dispatching their snipers to the rooftops of buildings nearby. Sweeping the sewers, the Gurkha, Ahmet Khim, led his tunnel rats up into the bowels of the building. At the same time, Jonathan Tyler demonstrated the cunning that made Norman Schwartzkopf declare him the King of Dirty Tricks by coming in through the air ducts in the womens restroom in the lobby. Wotansdottir herself approached the fire entrance and, with the assistance of Phillipe La Souris du Sant-Michel (Team 8s quartermaster and master security expert), disarmed the cameras, alarm, and lock. At exactly 8:47 pm, Team 8 executed a textbook three-pronged entry into the building, securing the ground floor and lobby within two minutes.
At 8:53 pm, the Anglo Irish Bank building imploded.
Examination of the rubble shows that the buildings foundation had been wired to explode with professionally rigged demolition charges. The 16-story building collapsed in on itself with all the expected noise and debris, covering the evacuated area in a cloud of dust. During this brief period, unknown assailants assassinated the Team 8 snipers, cutting their throats during the confusion. No member of Team 8 survived past 9:00 pm on June 22, 2001.
In addition to the 20 members of Team 8, the collapsing office building killed 429 people that were in the the Anglo Irish Bank building or the surrounding buildings (several of which partially collapsed due to falling debris). As the Internation Red Cross, the Anodyne Foundation, and other rescue aid organizations rushed to the site, the Austrian government scrambled to save who they could. Rescue workers managed to save an additional 106, but the damage was done. Wotansdottirs body was found, crushed to death on the third floor. Most of her team was found and identified, but all of them had been mangled by the explosion.
The world went into shock at the announcement of Wotansdottirs death. One heros death was a tragedy, but could be accepted; earlier heroes had died and been memorialized (the most well known being the Patriot, who had died at Bastogne, holding the line against the German assault). But never had two heroes fallen in action so closely together, and the accompanying loss of bystanders was overwhelming. Shock rapidly turned to fury, and the nations of the world dove back into their investigations. No suspect was discarded without thorough examination. Several powerful criminal organizations, weakened by the original investigation following Champions death, simply ceased to exist as their numbers were overrun by the fervor of the world.
The remaining heroes were not exempt from this mania. Nocturne could be found anywhere, combing the underworlds of cities from Los Angeles to Istanbul for information. Criminal kingpins and godfathers began to truly fear the dark, for any shadow could hide the Night Warrior, and he was on the warpath. Where Nocturne wasnt, the Hunter was, his blunt-tipped taser arrows and nets replaced with broadheads and paralytic darts. The black and red fletched arrows could be found stuck in walls and trees from the Pampas to the Pacific Northwest. Both heroes attacked the investigation with a vengeance, but the Hunter seemed obsessed. Close confidants of Wotansdottir revealed later that the mysterious archer and the warrior woman had maintained an irregular relationship as lovers. It is believed that, during this time, the Hunter was killed, although his body was not found for another six months.
Despite the investigations, no more evidence could be found regarding the terrorists who had taken control of the Anglo Irish Bank building. Nemo was an alias used by a number of European terrorists (being Latin for no one, it was perfect for anonymity), but none of them admitted to knowing who had organized the attack. The world mourned the loss of the warrior woman and her team; Sweden flew all flags at half-mast for a month, and sponsored funerals and services for each member of Team 8 in their native countries. The United Nations erected a monument to the fallen soldiers in New York.
Slowly, the shock passed. The people of the world recovered, but this time, they were a little more afraid. The various law enforcement agencies of the worlds nations did not table the investigation this time; instead, a task force of agents from the former NATO nations began re-examining both deaths, looking for something that would indicate a common link. Something had happened to two of the heroes of the world, and the whole world held its breath, hoping that it wouldnt happen again.
That hope was in vain.
Ebony the Black Dragon
Senior Editor, Living Room Games
http://www.lrgames.com
Ebony the Black Dragon
http://ebony14.livejournal.com
"Good night, and may the Good Lord take a Viking to you."
The 17 months that passed between the tragic death of Champion and the horrific death of the European heroine known as Wotansdottir were filled with investigation, speculation, and frustration. Investigations in literally every country in the world picked the evidence found in Little Rock apart. Joint investigations compared notes, suspects, and methods. Suspects were questioned, arrested, released, and questioned again. The world saw a drop in international crime as hundreds of criminals from dozens of syndicates were either arrested or severely curtailed their activities to avoid notice.
Unfortunately, nothing surfaced but rumors and empty accusations. Most of the public seemed happy to blame the public enemies, like Schreck or the Fedayeen, but a few more conspiracy-minded pointed fingers at political entities. Champion was taken out by the CIA, they said, or the Swiss, or the Iraqis, or the Martians, or any number of other groups. Most of these fell within that hazy area of not quite proven, not quite disproven where conspiracies that endure exist (except for the Martians, who sent a public communiqu through NASA and the ESA, expressing their condolences and offering an ironclad alibi). After a few months, only the most vocal supporters of these theories could still be heard, and after a year, much of the world had tried to get back to normal. Even the criminal activity returned to prior levels, for, as Nocturne liked to say, Criminals are criminals because crime is easier. Life went on.
And then Wotansdottir was killed.
Ynga Wotansdottir had been active as a superhero since the beginning of the Serbian conflict. She had first appeared in the Balkans, where she had single-handedly demolished an Albanian tank squad, armed with only a broadsword and her bare hands. She did not stay in the Balkans, but could be found across Europe, dealing with international crime. Despite the fact that she wore the uniform of an Swedish soldier, she wore no rank insignia and publicly admitted that she did not serve in that nations military. Sweden did not officially recognize her until she dramatically and publicly arrested a slavery ring that had been using Stockholm as distribution port; at that time, she began wearing the rank of Captain in the Swedish army, and the country officially recognized her as a citizen.
Standing over six feet tall, with long blonde hair, icy blue eyes, and a warriors physique, Wotansdottir was the very image of a Valkyrie. Despite her formidable appearance and frightening prowess in a fight, she was a very open person. Her frank, honest manner made for an easy conversation, and even made her claims of being a child of the ancient Norse deity, Wotan (sometimes called Odin), believable. Certainly her durability, speed, and ability to avoid damage (a much-played video clip showed her dodging machine gun fire), as well as her skill with any and all weapons made it seem even more credible.
Her declaration that she was the daughter of an ancient myth was met with a variety of reactions. Many people thought it a delusion or outright lie. Some accepted it as truth, or accepted that she believed it as truth. The Southern Baptist Church condemned her outright, calling her a pagan and worse. Followers of satr proclaimed her a prophet. The Pope called her a misguided, but good, soul. Wotansdottir ignored them all. Her family heritage was her business, she once told Barbara Walters. What others thought of her wouldnt stop her from being her fathers daughter.
Most of the general public took to Wotansdottir. She was more popular in Europe, given her nationality and general opinions, but given her looks and acceptance of her celebrity status, she was also well-known across the world. Magazines, fashion designers, and paparazzi all wanted her for photo shoots and clothing lines. Most of these she declined, choosing only a select few that met with her own personal standards. Her photo shoots for Vogue are well-known, as was her relationship with the Versace fashion house. It was not surprising to find her at a movie or theatrical premiere in London, Los Angeles, Paris, or (especially) her native Stockholm, wearing an original dress and escorted by a member of Swedens diplomatic corps.
Unlike Champion and more traditional superheroes, Wotansdottir focused most of her attention on international crime. She could be found whereever terrorism had become commonplace, making more than her share of enemies. While Schreck regularly clashed with Champion, it was Wotansdottir who faced the groups that the metaterrorist funded and trained. Schreck himself did not deign to comment on Wotansdottirs actions (not that the taciturn villain usually deigned to comment on much of anything). The Fedayeen publicly declared on Al Jazeeras news broadcasts that he would take her head in single combat. Despite the Sunni metahumans martial abilities and the more than a half dozen battles in which he and Wotansdottir met, the two of them were too evenly matched for either to gain enough of an advantage for a decisive victory.
A year after her official acknowledgement by the government of Sweden, she was promoted to Major in the Swedish Army and given a position in the peacekeeping forces of the United Nations. Under her direction, an elite team specializing in counter-terrorism was established. This team, offically named Team 8, contained highly trained and experienced members of many nations. While the soldiers were mostly European, there were also members from America, Brazil, Argentina, Russia, India, China, Australia, Japan, and other nations. These soldiers distinguished themselves quickly, and their reputation grew to equal that of Delta Force, the Special Air Service, or Spetznatz. After several years of success, the UN extended their duties to include public security for diplomats, and they soon became a regular sight at international functions. Although they numbered fewer than 30, Team 8 (or Yngas Boys as Londons Star dubbed them, despite the fact that they were co-gender) soon became one of the most well-known military units in the world, and individual members, such as Jonathan Tyler (better known as the Bastard of Berkshire), Jorge Gorgeous George Cardenas del Santiago, and Ahmet The Knife Khim, became famous figures in their own right.
And then came Vienna.
On June 22, 2001, terrorists seized control of the Anglo Irish Bank building in Vienna. The Viennese police would have treated the event as a bank robbery save for two things: the terrorists had actually phoned in the robbery, and the first two police units on the scene were massacred by automatic weapons fire and rocket-propelled grenades. Police cordoned off the streets around the building for nine square blocks around it. The Austrian Land Forces were called in, but they deferred to Wotansdottir and her team, who had been guests of the President at the Official Residence at the time of the attack. Although dressed formally for the occasion, Team 8 and its commander prided themselves on fast response, and their gear was on hand in their transport at the Vienna International Airport. Their easily recognizable APCs were at the edge of the cordon within an hour of hearing about the attack.
Wotansdottir immediately conferred with the Austrian Land Forces counterterrorist unit and the Police Commander. While police and members of the Land Forces began to evacuate the area (not difficult, given that many people had fled when the police had come under assault), Team 8 gathered intelligence to formulate a plan of action. The tactical expertise embodied by the men and women of Wotansdottirs unit
Eyewitness accounts by members of the Austrian Land Forces and the Tactical Unit of the Vienna Police have provided analysts with an exacting breakdown of the operation. Wotansdottir left meticulous notes of the operations plan that have allowed forensic scientists to plot out what exactly happened that evening. While a police negotiator dealt with the member of the terrorists that had contacted the authorities (a man who would only identify himself as Nemo), Team 8 dispersed in a wide pattern through the streets surrounding the bank building. Relying on the plans of the building, the sewers and telecom access passages, and the surrounding buildings, Team 8 surrounded the building, dispatching their snipers to the rooftops of buildings nearby. Sweeping the sewers, the Gurkha, Ahmet Khim, led his tunnel rats up into the bowels of the building. At the same time, Jonathan Tyler demonstrated the cunning that made Norman Schwartzkopf declare him the King of Dirty Tricks by coming in through the air ducts in the womens restroom in the lobby. Wotansdottir herself approached the fire entrance and, with the assistance of Phillipe La Souris du Sant-Michel (Team 8s quartermaster and master security expert), disarmed the cameras, alarm, and lock. At exactly 8:47 pm, Team 8 executed a textbook three-pronged entry into the building, securing the ground floor and lobby within two minutes.
At 8:53 pm, the Anglo Irish Bank building imploded.
Examination of the rubble shows that the buildings foundation had been wired to explode with professionally rigged demolition charges. The 16-story building collapsed in on itself with all the expected noise and debris, covering the evacuated area in a cloud of dust. During this brief period, unknown assailants assassinated the Team 8 snipers, cutting their throats during the confusion. No member of Team 8 survived past 9:00 pm on June 22, 2001.
In addition to the 20 members of Team 8, the collapsing office building killed 429 people that were in the the Anglo Irish Bank building or the surrounding buildings (several of which partially collapsed due to falling debris). As the Internation Red Cross, the Anodyne Foundation, and other rescue aid organizations rushed to the site, the Austrian government scrambled to save who they could. Rescue workers managed to save an additional 106, but the damage was done. Wotansdottirs body was found, crushed to death on the third floor. Most of her team was found and identified, but all of them had been mangled by the explosion.
The world went into shock at the announcement of Wotansdottirs death. One heros death was a tragedy, but could be accepted; earlier heroes had died and been memorialized (the most well known being the Patriot, who had died at Bastogne, holding the line against the German assault). But never had two heroes fallen in action so closely together, and the accompanying loss of bystanders was overwhelming. Shock rapidly turned to fury, and the nations of the world dove back into their investigations. No suspect was discarded without thorough examination. Several powerful criminal organizations, weakened by the original investigation following Champions death, simply ceased to exist as their numbers were overrun by the fervor of the world.
The remaining heroes were not exempt from this mania. Nocturne could be found anywhere, combing the underworlds of cities from Los Angeles to Istanbul for information. Criminal kingpins and godfathers began to truly fear the dark, for any shadow could hide the Night Warrior, and he was on the warpath. Where Nocturne wasnt, the Hunter was, his blunt-tipped taser arrows and nets replaced with broadheads and paralytic darts. The black and red fletched arrows could be found stuck in walls and trees from the Pampas to the Pacific Northwest. Both heroes attacked the investigation with a vengeance, but the Hunter seemed obsessed. Close confidants of Wotansdottir revealed later that the mysterious archer and the warrior woman had maintained an irregular relationship as lovers. It is believed that, during this time, the Hunter was killed, although his body was not found for another six months.
Despite the investigations, no more evidence could be found regarding the terrorists who had taken control of the Anglo Irish Bank building. Nemo was an alias used by a number of European terrorists (being Latin for no one, it was perfect for anonymity), but none of them admitted to knowing who had organized the attack. The world mourned the loss of the warrior woman and her team; Sweden flew all flags at half-mast for a month, and sponsored funerals and services for each member of Team 8 in their native countries. The United Nations erected a monument to the fallen soldiers in New York.
Slowly, the shock passed. The people of the world recovered, but this time, they were a little more afraid. The various law enforcement agencies of the worlds nations did not table the investigation this time; instead, a task force of agents from the former NATO nations began re-examining both deaths, looking for something that would indicate a common link. Something had happened to two of the heroes of the world, and the whole world held its breath, hoping that it wouldnt happen again.
That hope was in vain.
Ebony the Black Dragon
Senior Editor, Living Room Games
http://www.lrgames.com
Ebony the Black Dragon
http://ebony14.livejournal.com
"Good night, and may the Good Lord take a Viking to you."